Silver Duck in Cricket: Out for Zero Off the Second Ball
A silver duck in cricket means a batsman is dismissed for zero runs off the second ball they face, one ball away from a golden duck.
What Is a Silver Duck?
A silver duck is when a batsman survives the first ball they face but is dismissed off the second ball without adding any runs. It sits one rung above a golden duck in the hierarchy of cricket's most frustrating batting failures.
Duck Hierarchy in Cricket
| Name | Ball of Dismissal | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Duck | Run out (no ball faced) | 0 |
| Golden Duck | Ball 1 | 0 |
| Silver Duck | Ball 2 | 0 |
| Bronze Duck | Ball 3 | 0 |
| Duck | Any ball | 0 |
Why These Terms Exist
Cricket has a rich vocabulary for low scores because failure at the crease — particularly early failure — is so meaningful to match outcomes. The duck family of terms gives commentators and fans a precise language for different shades of batting disappointment.
Statistical Significance
Officially, all these variations count simply as 'out for zero' in scorecards. The distinctions are informal. However, they matter because they capture how quickly a batsman failed, which tells a story about technique, form, and pressure handling.
Frequently asked questions
What is a silver duck in cricket?
A silver duck is when a batsman is dismissed for zero off the second ball they face in their innings.
Is the silver duck an official cricket statistic?
It is not an official statistic but is widely used informally by commentators and fans.
What is a diamond duck in cricket?
A diamond duck is when a batsman is run out without even facing a ball, making it rarer than a golden duck.