King Pair in Cricket Explained
What a king pair is in cricket, how it differs from a standard pair, and which famous cricketers have suffered this rare distinction.
What Is a King Pair?
A king pair in cricket is one of the rarest and most unfortunate batting outcomes: being dismissed for a golden duck (out first ball) in both innings of the same match. A standard pair requires zero in both innings; a king pair requires zero in both innings without facing a second ball in either. The batter has two chances to score and exits in the first delivery on each occasion.
Rarity
King pairs are extremely rare even in professional cricket because the odds of being dismissed on the first ball twice in the same match are very low. A first-ball dismissal (golden duck) happens in perhaps 5–10% of all innings across Test cricket. A king pair requires this twice consecutively in the same match — making it a statistical oddity even over the thousands of Test matches played in cricket history.
Famous King Pairs
Several Test cricketers have suffered king pairs. Stuart Broad (England) scored a king pair against the West Indies. Phil Tufnell (England) was known for his vulnerability to first-ball dismissals. King pairs are more likely among specialist bowlers (numbers 9–11) who face the ball in difficult conditions, but they become notable when suffered by recognised batters.
Frequently asked questions
Is a king pair worse than a standard pair?
A king pair is rarer and typically more embarrassing than a standard pair — it means the batter had no opportunity to settle in either innings. A standard pair at least implies the batter faced several deliveries.
Does a king pair require the same type of dismissal both times?
No — a king pair simply requires dismissal without facing a second ball in either innings. The mode of dismissal (bowled, caught, LBW, run out) can differ between the two innings.
Can a golden duck occur on a no-ball?
Yes — if the first ball is a no-ball and the batter is out, the dismissal is voided (for most dismissal types, though run-outs still count off no-balls). In most cases, a no-ball delivery resetting the count means the golden duck is not registered.