Obstructing the Field:

An extremely rare method of dismissal. The batter is given out if they willfully interfere with the fielding, such as blocking a run out or preventing a fielder from taking a catch. Since 2017, obstructing the field includes the offence of handling the ball, which was previously considered a separate method of dismissal.

Occupying the Crease:

The act of a batter staying in for a long time, without trying to score many runs. This tires the bowler and may frustrate the fielding side in a timed match but requires skilled defensive batting technique. It is particularly prized among opening batters or when batting for a draw.

ODI (One Day International):

A match between two national sides limited to 50 overs per innings, played over at most one day.

Odds Match:

A match in which one side has more players than the other. Generally, the extra players were allowed to field as well as bat and so the bowling side had more than 11 fielders.

Off Break:

An off-spin delivery which, for a right-arm bowler and a right-handed batter, will turn from the off side to the leg side (usually into the batter).

Off Cutter:

A cutter that, for a right-handed batter, turns from the off side to the leg side. The pace bowling equivalent of an off break.

Off Side:

The half of the pitch in front of the batter’s body as they take strike. For a right-handed batter, this is the right half of the pitch, looking up the wicket towards the bowler, and the left half for the left-handed batter. The opposite of the leg side.

Off Spin:

The style of spin bowling produced by right-arm finger spin. So called because the stock delivery is an off break. Common variations include the arm ball and doosra.

Off the Mark:

When the first run is scored by a batter, it is said that the batter is off the mark. If a batter gets out without scoring, it is said that the batter failed to get off the mark.

Off Theory:

A tactic sometimes used by the fielding side. The bowler aims for a line wide of off stump, and most fielders are placed on the off side. This prevents the batter from playing shots on the leg side, whilst most of the off side is covered by fielders. The goal is to slow the scoring and frustrate the batters into an opportunity for a catch. The opposite of leg theory.

Offer the Light:

Under historical rules, offering the light was the act of the umpires giving the batters the choice of whether or not to leave the field during times of bad light. Offering the light has disappeared from the game since 2010; the decision of whether or not to leave the field for bad light is made solely by the umpires.

Olympic:

Five consecutive ducks. The term alludes to the five interlocking Olympic rings.

On Side:

See leg side. The opposite of offside.

On a Length:

A delivery bowled on a good length.

On Strike:

The batter currently facing the bowling attack is said to be on strike.

On the [Shot Name]:

Used to describe the type of shot that fielders are placed in order to intercept. For example, “three men on the hook” means three fielders who are placed behind square leg to catch the ball if the hook shot is used. “On the drive” is a similar term used for any type of drive, generally within a straight ‘V’ in front of the battery.

On the Up:

A batter plays a shot, usually a drive, to a ball that is quite short and has already risen to knee height or more as the shot is played.

One-Day Cricket:

An abbreviated form of the game, with just one innings per team, usually with a limited number of overs and played over one day.

One Down:

A batter who bats at No. 3, a crucial position in the team’s batting innings.

One Short:

When a batter fails to make contact with the ground beyond the popping crease and turns back for an additional run.

Opener:

An opening batter.

An opening bowler.

Opening Batter:

One of the two batters who are in at the start of the innings. They must face the opening bowlers and new ball, so require good defensive technique to avoid getting out, especially in a timed match. In a limited overs match, an opening batter must also score quickly during the power play.

Opening Bowler:

One of the two bowlers who began the innings using the new ball. They are usually the fastest or most aggressive bowlers in the side.

Opposite Number:

A player on the other team who plays the same role. Often used for captains and wicket keepers.

Orthodox:

Shots played in the accepted “textbook” manner and batters who play in this manner.

See left-arm orthodox spin.

Out:

The state of a batter who has been dismissed.

The word is sometimes spoken while raising the index finger by the umpire when answering an appeal for a wicket in the affirmative.

Outdipper:

A dipper that curves away from the batter before pitching.

Outright Win/Loss:

A win or loss in a completed match of two innings per team. Used in competitions which award first innings points, as a term to distinguish a one-innings win from a two-innings win.

Outswing:

A delivery that curves away from the batter.

Outfield:

The part of the field lying outside the 30-yard (27 m) circle measured from the centre of the pitch or, less formally, the part of the pitch furthest from the wickets.

Over:

The delivery of six consecutive legal balls by one bowler.

Over Rate:

The average number of overs bowled per hour.

Over the Wicket:

A right-arm bowler passing to the left of the non-striker’s stumps in their run-up, and vice versa for a left-arm bowler. Compared with around the wicket.

Overarm:

The action of bowling with the arm swinging from behind the body over the head, releasing the ball on the downswing without bending the elbow. This type of bowling is the only type normally allowed in all official cricket matches. Compared with underarm.

Overpitched Delivery:

A delivery that is full pitched but not a yorker, bouncing just in front of the batter. Considered a poor delivery, as it is easy for the batter to get the middle of the bat to the ball. An overpitched ball is often a half-volley.

Overthrows:

The scoring of extra runs due to an errant throw from a fielder. Also known as buzzers. Occasionally used erroneously for any runs scored after a fielder misfields the ball. Also refers to the throw itself as the ball goes far past or “over” the intended target.