Know About All The Types Of Ducks In Cricket

Cricket is a game of uncertainty, and scoring runs is the primary goal of any batsman. It does, however sometimes so happen that a batsman gets out without a single run scored on his credit. The dismissals under such conditions are called "ducks." The term "duck" originates from the shape of the number zero. It resembles an egg laid by a duck. While getting out for a duck is always disappointing, cricket has categorized different types of ducks based on how the batsman is dismissed. Let's explore all the types of ducks in cricket.
1. Golden Duck
The worst form of duck in cricket is a golden duck. It comes when a batsman gets dismissed on the first ball he receives. This is particularly embarrassing as the player has not even gotten a chance to settle into his crease. A golden duck can really impact a batsman's confidence, especially in high-profile matches.
2. Silver Duck
A silver duck occurs when a batsman is dismissed on the second ball they face without scoring any runs. Although not as immediate as a golden duck, it still means an early failure at the crease and can be demoralizing for the player and their team.
3. Bronze Duck
A bronze duck is when a batsman gets dismissed on the third ball of an innings without scoring a run. Though it gives a little more time to be at the crease than the golden and silver ducks, it again denotes a poor start and puts pressure on the batting lineup.
4. Diamond Duck
A diamond duck is a particularly rare and unfortunate occurrence. This is when the batsman is dismissed without having faced even one ball. The mode of getting out is through run-out from the non-striker's end or even by being timed out (in case the second batsman doesn't make it to the crease within time). This kind of duck is more frustrating in that the batsman doesn't even get an opportunity to bat.
5. Royal Duck
When the first batsman of an inning gets out without scoring in the very first ball of an inning, it is called a royal duck. The opening batsman forms the foundation of beginning the innings for his team and losing at that stage can be demoralizing, with pressure further increasing on the remainder of the batting order almost immediately.
6. Laughing Duck
A laughing duck is a dismissal for zero runs when it occurs as the last wicket of the innings. This name is derived from the irony of the situation. The batsman's dismissal can sometimes leave the team in a tight spot and effectively end the innings.
7. Pair (King Pair and Queen Pair)
A pair occurs when a batsman is dismissed for a duck in both innings of a Test match. If the batsman gets out on the first ball of both innings, then it is termed a king pair. If the batsman gets out without scoring but not on the first ball in both innings, then it is known as a queen pair.
8. Platinum Duck
A platinum duck is another term for a golden duck but emphasizes the severity. It can, in informal conversations or media discourse, be used to drive home the poor batting performance of one's batsmen.
Conclusion
Getting ducked out of the field is the worst fear of any batsman, but the variations in ducks in the game of cricket add an interesting flavor to its terminologies. Though some ducks like golden or diamond ducks are disheartening, there are laughing ducks that seem funny. Therefore, knowing about all these kinds of ducks gives more knowledge and appreciation to cricket lovers. Whether you are a player or a fan, knowing these terms makes watching cricket even more interesting!