Umpire

An official who enforces the rules and judges games. Each over, one umpire stands behind the wicket at the non-striker’s end, while the other (usually) stands at square leg. The two on-field umpires use an arm signal system to communicate decisions to the players and scorer. A third umpire is usually present during televised matches to adjudicate on replays and the umpire decision review system.

Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS)

(or Decision Review System, DRS)

Official system for challenging an umpire’s decisions. The decision is then reviewed by the third umpire using various technological aids such as slow motion television replays, ball tracking, a snickometer, and so on. A batter may appeal an out decision, and the captain of the fielding side may appeal a not out decision. Teams are limited to a certain number of unsuccessful reviews per inning; once that limit is reached, no further reviews are permitted. The umpires can review run out, caught, and no ball decisions, as well as whether a shot scored a boundary. Only available in televised games because the broadcaster provides the necessary equipment.

Umpire’s call

If the third umpire finds the evidence inconclusive or within the stated margin of error, the result of the Umpire Decision Review System. The original umpire’s decision is upheld, but the review does not count against the team’s total number of unsuccessful reviews.

Uncapped

a player who has never played at the international level (see “cap (sense 2)”.)

Underarm

the action of bowling with the arm swinging from behind the body in a downswing arc and then releasing the ball on the up swing without bending the elbow. This type of bowling is now illegal in formal cricket, but commonly played in informal types of cricket. Compare with overarm.

Under-spin (also back-spin)

backward rotation on the ball, causing it to decrease speed immediately after pitching.

Unorthodox

1. a shot that is not played in the accepted “textbook” manner, often with some improvisation.
2. a left-arm spin bowler who spins the ball with their wrist in the same way that a right-arm leg-spin bowler spins the ball with their wrist. This imparts spin in the same direction as a right-handed off-spin bowler. See also: Unusual left-arm spin.

Unplayable delivery

a ball that is impossible for the batter to handle; used to imply that the batter was out due to the bowler’s skill rather than their own error. 

Upper Cut

A common shot against a short ball or bouncer. The batter makes a cut above their head here, and the ball usually goes to third base. Sachin Tendulkar was the first to use it in international cricket.

Uppish

A shot that gains a dangerous amount of height, increasing the chances of the batter being caught.