Did You Know What Royal Duck and Types of Ducks in Cricket?

In the sport of cricket, the term “duck” is used to refer to a batsman being dismissed without scoring any runs. It means that the batsman is out on the first ball they face and fails to contribute any runs to their team’s total. In cricket, there are several types of ducks, including nine distinct categories based on the manner of dismissal. Let’s explore each of them:

1. Golden Duck: A golden duck occurs when a batsman is dismissed on the very first ball they face in an inning. It is considered the worst possible start for a batsman, as they are dismissed without adding any runs to the team’s score.
2. Diamond Duck: A diamond duck happens when a batsman is run out without facing a ball. It occurs when the non-striking batsman is dismissed while attempting a run or when the batsman at the non-striker’s end is unable to make it to the striker’s end before the wicket is broken.
3. Silver Duck: A silver duck is when a batsman is dismissed without scoring on the second ball they face in an inning. Similar to a golden duck, it is an early dismissal and represents a failure on the part of the batsman.
4. Bronze Duck: A bronze duck occurs when a batsman is dismissed without scoring on the third ball they face in an inning. Again, it signifies a quick dismissal and a lack of contribution to the team’s score.
5. Pair: A pair refers to a batsman being dismissed for a duck in both innings of a two-inning match. It is a particularly unfortunate occurrence for a batsman, as they fail to score in both attempts.
6. King Pair: A king pair is a specialized form of pair, where the batsman is dismissed for a golden duck in both innings of a match. It is an extremely rare occurrence and is considered a significant failure for the batsman.
7. Royal Duck: A royal duck is when a batsman is dismissed without facing a ball in both innings of a two-inning match. This means the batsman is run out or dismissed in some other way without getting the opportunity to face a single delivery.
8. Laughing Duck: A laughing duck refers to a batsman who is dismissed for zero but takes a long time to leave the field, often due to reluctance or disappointment. It is not an official term but is sometimes used to describe a batsman who is visibly upset or reluctant to accept their dismissal.
9. Batting Hat-trick Duck: A batting hat-trick duck in cricket is a rare feat, where a batsman is dismissed for a duck in three consecutive innings. This has only been achieved by a handful of players in the history of the game, including Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, and Ashton Turner.

These are the nine different types of ducks in cricket, each representing a different manner of dismissal without scoring any runs. Ducks are often seen as a disappointment for the batsman and can significantly impact their individual and team performance in a match.