What is Duck in Cricket?

A duck in cricket isn’t about the bird. So, what does duck mean in cricket? It means a score of zero. A duck happens when a batsman gets dismissed without scoring a single run.

Ducks happen in all cricket formats, including T20s, ODIs, and Test cricket. Irrespective of format, it can change the momentum and even the outcome of a match. Therefore, whether you’re a bettor or a fan, it’s important to understand how ducks work. 

Therefore, this blog will explain the meaning of a duck and its types. We also highlight the history of “duck,” the most popular ducks and duck record holders in the game. 

Why is it Called "Duck" in Cricket

Duck is short for a “duck’s egg.” Interestingly, the name started because the number zero looks just like the oval shape of an egg. The history dates back to 1866 when the then Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII, was out for zero runs during a match. A newspaper wrote that the prince had "retired to the royal pavilion on a duck's egg." Everyone liked the expression, and it was adopted and shortened to "duck" over the years. 

Now, when the umpire dismisses a batter, and you see a small cartoon duck walking across the screen of your TV, it means the player got out on a duck, without making a successful run. It is a simple way to show the meaning of a player's failure to get off the mark. 

In cricket betting, these early wickets are huge moments that can change the live odds instantly because a "duck's egg" on the scoreboard puts the batting team under heavy pressure. Therefore, bettors wagering on live matches must react quickly to take advantage of value odds.

Types of Ducks in Cricket - Golden, Diamond, Platinum

Now that we know what the duck cricket means, let’s move on to the types. There are several types of ducks in cricket, but three stand out. We explain Golden, Diamond, and Platinum ducks below. 

• Golden Duck: It’s a golden duck when a player is dismissed on the very first ball they face. It is the most popular of the three main types.  

• Diamond Duck:  It’s a diamond duck when the player is out without even facing a legal ball. It is more embarrassing than the Golden Duck. This happens when the player is run out at the non-striker’s end or if the bowler bowls a wide that leads to a stumping.

• Platinum Duck: Also known as a Royal Duck, this occurs when a player gets out on the very first ball of the entire match or the innings.

For a team, these early wickets are a disaster. On the other hand, for bettors, betting on a player on 1xBet to get a duck offers high potential returns because the odds are always valuable. However, it is risky as well, since the chance of a top-tier batter getting a duck is slim. Nevertheless, it is more common among tail-enders, who bat in the final few spots for a team.

Famous Ducks in Cricket History

Ducks are part of cricket history. It’s not peculiar only to average players. Even the greatest players have faced ducks at some point in their careers. The list of the most famous ducks in cricket is long, but here are some notable ducks that changed the course of top cricket games: 

• Ajit Agarkar is one of India’s top cricket players. He got the “Bombay Duck” nickname from the Australian media due to his five consecutive ducks. This happened during the 1999-2000 Test series between India and Australia. 

• Sir Don Bradman is also on the list. He was set to end his sterling career with a perfect 100 average. All he needed was four runs in his final Test match in 1948. Unfortunately, he was bowled for a duck on the second ball he faced from Eric Hollies. This meant his career average ended at 99.94.

• Brian Lara is also popular for his big scores. However, he once got out for a golden duck in a Test against Australia in 1992.  

• Geoff Allot was a New Zealand cricket player who recorded a Test duck lasting 101 minutes in 1999. He also faced 77 balls within this period. So, he holds the pair records for the longest duck in terms of time and balls faced. 

• Maninder Singh is another notable mention. He got a dismissal for a four-ball duck in the 1986 Test match between India and Australia. India needed only one run to win the game with 1 wicket remaining, but the match ended in a tie. 

Duck Records - Most Ducks in Career

When a player frequently fails to score, they eventually end up in the record books for the wrong reasons.  Here’s a look at some of the players with the most ducks in international cricket.

As seen in the table, Muttiah Muralitharan from Sri Lanka holds the record for the most ducks. He recorded 59 ducks throughout his career, including T20s, ODIs, and Test games. 

How to Avoid Getting a Duck

It’s frustrating to get out for a duck. However, batsmen can take some steps to minimise the risk. For fans and cricket bettors, understanding how batsmen approach this challenge also provides insight into match dynamics and player form.

Here are some strategies that work: 

• Leaving the wide ball early: Unless the ball is going to hit the stumps, it is better to let it go in the first 6 balls. This helps the batter focus on adjusting to the ball's velocity and trajectory. 

• Watching the bowler closely: Paying attention to the bowler’s hand the moment they release the ball is helpful. It helps batters gain extra split-seconds to react to the pace and spin of the ball.

• Perfecting the defence: A bowler will find it difficult to duck a batter with a solid forward defence. Batters can use the “V” strategy to keep the shots within the mid-on and mid-off fielders until they feel comfortable.  

Even great players have ducks sometimes. Applying these strategies increases the chances of scoring runs rather than leaving with zero.