A Pair in Cricket: Two Ducks in Two Innings
What constitutes a pair in cricket, its psychological significance, and notable examples of batsmen who suffered pairs.
A pair in cricket refers to a batsman scoring zero in both innings of a two-innings match, most commonly a Test match. The term evokes the pair of zeroes on the scorecard and is considered one of cricket's most disappointing individual outcomes for a batsman.
The King Pair
A king pair is the ultimate batting failure, where a batsman is dismissed for a golden duck (first ball, no score) in both innings of the same match. This supremely unlucky or supremely poor batting outcome is exceptionally rare even in professional cricket.
Psychological Impact of a Pair
Scoring a pair in a Test match can be psychologically devastating for a batsman, particularly if the team loses the match and the batsman feels personal responsibility. The immediate challenge for the player and their coaches is processing the pair quickly to avoid it affecting subsequent performances.
Famous Pairs by Elite Batsmen
Even the greatest batsmen have occasionally suffered the indignity of a pair, reminding us that cricket can humble even the best players. Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Brian Lara all experienced pairs in their illustrious careers, demonstrating that the game's most celebrated players are not immune.
Pairs in Limited-Overs Cricket
The concept of a pair applies primarily to Test cricket since each team bats twice in the same match. In limited-overs formats, a player might score zero in two consecutive matches but this is not technically called a pair as they are separate matches with separate innings.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pair in cricket?
A pair in cricket means a batsman scored zero (a duck) in both innings of the same two-innings match, most commonly a Test match. The two zeros on the scorecard look like a pair, giving the performance its name.
What is a king pair in cricket?
A king pair is when a batsman is dismissed for a golden duck, meaning on the first ball they faced, in both innings of the same match. This represents the ultimate batting failure and is exceptionally rare even at the highest levels of the game.