Playing Cricket: English Vocabulary, Phrases and Dialogue

Key words and phrases

batsmanthe player currently batting to score runsThe batsman hit the ball straight past the bowler.

bowlerthe player who throws the ball toward the batsmanTheir fast bowler took two wickets in one over.

wicketthe set of stumps a bowler aims to hit, or a batsman's dismissalHe took a wicket in the very first over.

boundarythe edge of the field, or a shot that reaches itHe hit a beautiful boundary through the covers.

overa set of six balls bowled by one bowlerHe conceded only four runs in that over.

inningsthe period during which one team batsTheir innings ended after twenty overs.

run outa way of being dismissed by the fielding team hitting the stumps before the batsman reaches the creaseHe was run out by a direct hit from the fielder.

LBWleg before wicket — a way of being dismissed when the ball hits the leg in front of the stumpsThe umpire gave him out LBW.

umpirethe official who makes decisions during a cricket matchThe umpire signalled a no-ball.

pitchthe strip in the middle of the ground where the bowler and batsman playThe pitch was a little damp this morning.

sixa shot worth six runs that clears the boundary without bouncingHe smashed a six over long-on.

foura shot worth four runs that reaches the boundary along the groundThat was a clean four through the gap.

fieldera player positioned to stop runs or catch the ballThe fielder took a diving catch.

captainthe player who leads the team and makes tactical decisionsThe captain decided to bat first.

tossthe coin flip at the start of a match to decide who bats or bowls firstThey won the toss and chose to bat.

scoreboarda display showing the current runs, wickets, and oversHe checked the scoreboard between overs.

all-roundera player skilled at both batting and bowlingHe's a valuable all-rounder for the team.

spin bowlera bowler who relies on spinning the ball rather than speedThe spin bowler troubled the batsmen on this pitch.

fast bowlera bowler who relies on high speed to challenge the batsmanTheir fast bowler was hitting good pace today.

centurya score of one hundred runs by a single batsmanHe scored a century in his very first match.

Useful sentences

Ask Did you win the toss?
Answer Yes, and our captain decided to bat first.
Ask How did you get out?
Answer I was given out LBW in the fifth over.
Ask Did anyone hit a six today?
Answer Yes, our all-rounder smashed one over long-on.
Ask Who's bowling the next over?
Answer Our fast bowler is coming on next.
Ask What's the score on the scoreboard?
Answer We're at ninety for three after fifteen overs.
Ask How did the last wicket fall?
Answer He was run out trying to steal a quick single.
Ask Is the pitch helping the bowlers today?
Answer Yes, the spin bowler is getting a lot of turn.
Ask Did the umpire give a controversial decision?
Answer A little — but everyone accepted it and moved on.
Ask Is he a good fielder?
Answer Yes, he took a brilliant catch near the boundary.
Ask Has anyone scored a century in your team before?
Answer Yes, our opening batsman scored one last season.

Dialogue

FriendWe won the toss! What should we do — bat or bowl?

RahulThe pitch looks good for batting, let's bat first.

FriendSounds good. You're opening the innings, right?

RahulYes, I'll try to hit some early boundaries.

FriendWatch out for their fast bowler in the first over.

RahulI will. If I get a loose ball, I'll go for a six.

FriendNice shot! That's a boundary through the covers.

RahulThanks! Let's keep the scoreboard moving.

FriendCareful with the spin bowler — he's tricky on this pitch.

RahulGot it, I'll take my time and read him carefully.

Common mistakes

Saying "he is out by LBW" instead of "he was out LBW."
Saying "he hit a six run" instead of "he hit a six."
Saying "we win toss" instead of "we won the toss."
Saying "he bowling fast" instead of "he is a fast bowler" or "he bowls fast."
Saying "score is ninety three wicket" instead of "the score is ninety for three."
Saying "he run out" instead of "he was run out."

Quick quiz

1. What does "LBW" mean?

2. What is an "over"?

3. What is an "all-rounder"?

4. What does "run out" mean?

5. What is a "century" in cricket?

6. What is the "toss" used for?

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