Daddy Hundred:

Informal term for a batter’s score substantially higher than a century, often set at 150 runs by some coaches.

Daisy Cutter:

A low-trajectory delivery bouncing twice or rolling along the ground, or a shot with a low trajectory just above the grass, making it hard to catch.

A shot played low, bouncing just above the grass, retaining speed and being difficult to catch.

Dance Down (the Pitch):

Batter moving closer to the bowler using footwork, considered risky as missing the shot can result in being stumped or run out.

Day/Night Cricket:

A match starting during the day and ending after sunset, using floodlights. Introduced in some one-day internationals since 1979 and in Test matches since 2015.

Dead Ball:

State between deliveries when batters can’t score or be out.

Umpire’s signal indicating a dead ball if not obvious to players.

Dead Bat:

Defensive shot with the bat held loosely, reducing chances of being caught off an edge.

Dead Rubber:

Match played in a series after one team has an insurmountable lead, often seen as of lesser importance.

Death Bowler:

Specialized bowler delivering death overs in limited-overs matches, skilled in yorkers and slower balls.

Death Overs (or Slog Overs):

Final few overs of an innings in limited-overs cricket, where aggressive batting is common, seeking boundaries even at the risk of dismissal.

Death Rattle:

Sound of the ball hitting the stumps when a batter is bowled out.

Declaration:

Captain ending the team’s innings voluntarily, believing the score is defendable. Common in timed forms of cricket to allow time to bowl out the opposition.

Declaration Bowling:

Deliberately poor bowling with the intention of encouraging quick runs and declarations, giving both teams a chance to win in timed matches.

Deep:

Fielding position farther from the batter, closer to the boundary.

Defensive Field:

Fielding setup with fielders spread around to stop boundaries, sacrificing catch opportunities.

Delivery:

Act of bowling the ball; can also refer to the quality of the delivery in terms of intent or effect.

Dot Ball:

Delivery without runs scored, marked in the scorebook with a dot.

Double:

Scoring 1000 runs and taking 100 wickets in the same season.

Down the Pitch (or Down the Wicket):

Batter’s motion toward the bowler, often aiming to turn a good length ball into a half-volley.

Draw:

Result where the team batting last doesn’t exceed the opponent’s total.

Antiquated stroke resembling the French cut.

Umpire’s signal to end the game or day’s play.

Drift:

Slight lateral curved-path movement of the ball in flight, making it difficult for batters to judge.

Drinks:

Agreed break during play for refreshments, usual in Test matches.

Drinks Waiter:

Jocular term for the twelfth man bringing drinks to the players.

Drive:

Shot played with a straight bat on the front foot, aiming between point and mid-wicket; considered aesthetically pleasing.

Drop:

• Fielder accidentally missing a catch.
• Number of dismissals before a specific batter goes in to bat.
• Excluding a player from selection despite being in the prior squad.

Dropper:

Obsolete term for lob bowling delivery or a bowler using this style.

Drop-in Pitch:

Temporary pitch cultivated off-site, allowing shared field use with fewer player injury risks.

Duck:

Batter’s score of zero, also refers to not out with zero in an innings, never to completed innings.

Duck Under Delivery:

Short pitched delivery appearing as a bouncer but bouncing low, leading to LBW or bowled dismissals.

Duckworth-Lewis Method (D/L) (or DLS):

Rain rule used for limited overs matches affected by weather, calculating revised targets based on past match analysis. Used in international and most domestic matches since 1999.

Dugout:

Sheltered area outside boundary ropes where non-active players and staff sit, common in Twenty20 matches.