Golden Duck, Diamond Duck, and Duck Types in Cricket
A duck means zero runs — but there are several types based on how many balls were faced. Learn what each duck type means and what they say about a batter's innings.
What Is a Duck in Cricket?
A duck in cricket means a batter was dismissed without scoring any runs. The term comes from the shape of the zero in the scorebook — resembling a duck's egg. A duck has no bearing on the bowler's wicket tally (the wicket is counted regardless) but reflects poorly on the batter's contribution.
Types of Ducks
| Type | Meaning | Balls Faced |
|---|---|---|
| Duck | Dismissed for zero — any method | 1 or more |
| Golden Duck | Dismissed first ball received | 1 |
| Diamond Duck | Dismissed without facing a ball — e.g. run-out off a no-ball or timed out | 0 |
| Silver Duck | Dismissed second ball for zero | 2 |
| Platinum Duck | Dismissed without a legal delivery — e.g. obstructing the field before facing | 0 (variant) |
The Significance of a Golden Duck
A golden duck — dismissed first ball — is especially damaging because the batter contributes zero runs and does not even have the chance to settle. Against quality bowling, top-order golden ducks often trigger collapses. For tail-enders, golden ducks are common and less significant.
Famous Duck Records
- Chris Martin of New Zealand famously amassed a large number of ducks in Test cricket, becoming associated with the statistic during his long fast-bowling career
- Muttiah Muralitharan holds a large number of Test ducks owing to his extremely long career as a bowler who batted low in the order
- Geoffrey Boycott was one of England's most renowned batters but was himself dismissed for a golden duck in notable matches
Not Out Zero
If a batter scores zero but is not dismissed — for example, their team's innings ends with them on zero not out — this is NOT a duck. A duck requires an actual dismissal. A batter can have many not-out zeros in a career without those counting in the duck tally.
Frequently asked questions
Does a duck count in the batting average?
Yes, as long as it is a dismissal — the batter scored zero runs and lost their wicket. Not-out zeros do not count in the average calculation.
Can you get a duck in T20 cricket?
Yes, and golden ducks are common in T20 because batters play aggressively from ball one and are often dismissed before scoring.
What is a 'pair' in Test cricket?
A pair occurs when a batter is dismissed for a duck in both innings of the same Test match. It is considered one of the most embarrassing outcomes for a batter at the highest level.