Common Phrases With Cricket Origination

Common phrases derived from cricket, and their meanings 

Did you know the history of cricket can be traced back as far as the 16th century? 

After football (soccer), cricket is regarded as the most-watched sport in the world, with an approximate 2.5 billion followers.

With such a following, it is no surprise that some of cricketing terms seep into day to day phrases. Here is a list of some: 

1. Flat-track bully 

Refers to a person who only performs exceptionally well when everything is in their favor, but struggles to keep up good performances when they don't have everything set their way. 

Usage example: "Ben is a flat-track bully. All the goals he scored were against the junior teams. He has never scored against any of the senior teams." 

This phrase is derived from the fact that a flat track is relatively easy to bat on. On a flat track, all batsmen tend to perform better than they usually do. Average batsmen flatter to deceive on flat tracks and can be mistaken for world-class performers. 

2. Sticky wicket

A sticky wicket, on the other hand, is the opposite of a flat track. When a situation is referred to as a sticky wicket, it means that the situation is delicate, volatile, and needs to be treaded with caution to avoid any mishaps.

Usage example: "Sales are on a decline. We need to have some serious conversations with the sales team about the way forward. At this rate, heads are going to roll. It's a sticky wicket." 

The phrase is derived from the fact that in cricket, a sticky wicket is damp and is harder for batsmen to navigate as it provides inconsistent pace and bounce. It's a wicket that if you bat on it without extra caution, you can easily lose your wicket. 

3. Yorked

Yorking someone refers to out-maneuvering or out-thinking a rival/ competitor.  

Usage example: "I yorked him that time! He thought I was going to come home late, so he let the dogs loose in the yard. Only to discover that I had already entered the house two hours prior. I made him look a complete fool."  

A yorker, in cricket, is a full and quick delivery from a bowler. A yorker is oftentimes unplayable or leads to very little runs scored from it. On several occasions it even leads to a wicket. When perfectly executed, it's often a masterstroke.  

4. Duck

Duck means zero.

Usage example: "I was expecting a significant return from that investment, but all I got was a duck."

In cricket, a duck is a score of zero, and that explains that.

There are other special cases of zero scores in cricket: 

(i) Golden duck. This is a first-ball duck. A batsman being dismissed from the very first ball they face.

(ii) Diamond duck. This is when a batsman is dismissed without facing a single delivery. A run-out is often the cause. 

(iii) Royal duck. This is when a batsman is dismissed off the first ball of the batting innings. 

5. Knocked for six

'Hit for six' means to stun, astonish, or completely daze someone.

Usage example: "Those poll results knocked me for six. I thought I was winning!"

The phrase is derived from the fact that in cricket 'a six' is the maximum runs a batsman can score from a single hit. It therefore implies an outcome that completely astounds someone to the highest degree.