How Many Types of Ducks in Cricket? Explained Each

Cricket has a charm of its own, filled with quirky terms that often confuse beginners and “duck in cricket” is one of the most famous. While it may sound harmless, a duck is a moment every batter hopes to avoid. Yet, understanding the types of ducks in cricket helps fans appreciate the sport’s depth, humour, and occasionally brutal honesty.

This guide breaks down how many types of ducks in cricket exist, what each one means, why the term “duck” even exists, and how these dismissals shape cricket history. Whether you’re a new fan or a seasoned follower, here are all cricket duck types explained clearly and simply.

What Does Duck Mean in Cricket?

In cricket, a duck occurs when a batter is dismissed without scoring a single run. Their score stays at zero until they get out and this can happen through any of the ten dismissal methods.
If a batter finishes the innings not out on zero, it does not count as a duck because they still had the chance to score.

Why Is It Called a Duck in Cricket?

The term originally came from the phrase “duck’s egg”, comparing the shape of the number 0 to an oval duck egg.
Its earliest known use dates back to 1866, when a newspaper reported that the Prince of Wales “retired to the royal pavilion on a duck’s egg.”

Over time, cricket lovers shortened the phrase to simply “duck.”

How Many Types of Ducks in Cricket? (Complete List of 9 Duck Dismissals)

There are 9 major types of ducks in cricket, each describing a specific situation where a batter gets out for zero. Some are common, others extremely rare but all are fascinating parts of cricket terminology. Below are all 9 types of ducks explained in cricket-

1. Golden Duck

A golden duck happens when a batter is dismissed on the very first ball they face. It is the most notorious and often the most embarrassing duck.
In the 2021 Lord’s Test, England’s James Anderson was dismissed first ball by Mohammed Shami.

2. Silver Duck

A batter records a silver duck when they face exactly two deliveries and still get out for zero.
This term isn’t used as often in commentary but is well known among cricket statisticians.

3. Bronze Duck

A bronze duck occurs when a player gets out for zero on the third ball they face. Like the silver duck, it’s not universally used but is part of cricket’s rich vocabulary.

4. Diamond Duck

Perhaps the most unusual of all, a diamond duck happens when a batter is dismissed without facing a single legal delivery.

This can happen through:

• A run-out at the non-striker’s end
• Being timed out
• Obstructing the field before facing a ball

It is one of the rare ducks in cricket.

An example of a diamond duck occurred when Steve Waugh was given run out without facing a ball in the 1999 Cricket World Cup in England. He backed up too far before the bowler took his stumps out.

5. Titanium Duck

A titanium duck is a special version of the diamond duck specific to opening batters.

It occurs when:

• The opening batter gets dismissed without facing any delivery,
• On the first ball of the team’s innings.

This has been recorded fewer than 20 times in international cricket.

6. Royal Duck (Platinum Duck)

A royal duck, also called a platinum duck, occurs when an opening batter gets out for zero on the first ball of the team’s innings, but after facing the delivery. This distinguishes it from the titanium duck, where no ball is faced.

7. Laughing Duck

A laughing duck happens when a batter is dismissed for zero on the final ball of the innings. The name originated due to animated duck graphics used on television broadcasts when players got out for zero.

8. Golden Goose

A golden goose is a rare and dramatic duck recorded when a batter gets out for zero on the first ball of the first match of a new season. It adds extra disappointment for players hoping for a fresh start.

9. Pair & King Pair

These occur in multi-innings formats like Test cricket.

• Pair
  A pair happens when a batter is dismissed for zero in both innings of the same match. Scorebooks mark it as 00, resembling a pair of spectacles.
• King Pair
  A king pair is even more brutal, getting out for golden ducks in both innings.

Travis Head registered a king pair against West Indies (Brisbane, 2024), dismissed first ball in both innings by Shamar Joseph.

Players With the Most Ducks in Cricket

These players hold the record for the highest number of ducks in international cricket:

Despite their batting struggles, these players remain legends of the game.

FAQs

1. How many cricket ducks are there?
   There are 9 main types of ducks in cricket, including golden duck, silver duck, bronze duck, diamond duck, titanium duck, royal duck, laughing duck, golden goose, and pair/king pair.
2. What are the different ducks in cricket?
   Different ducks include golden, silver, bronze, diamond, titanium, royal (platinum), laughing duck, golden goose, and pair/king pair.
3. Why is it called a duck in cricket?
   Because the number “0” resembles a duck’s egg, a term first recorded in 1866.
4. What is the difference between golden, silver, and bronze duck?
   Golden duck: Out first ball faced
   Silver duck: Out on the second ball faced
   Bronze duck: Out on the third ball faced
5. What is a diamond duck in cricket?
   A dismissal for zero without facing a legal delivery.
6. Which is the rarest duck in cricket?
   The titanium duck, recorded fewer than 20 times globally.
7. What is a pair and king pair in cricket?
   Pair: Out for zero in both innings
   King pair: Our first ball in both innings

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