What is a Duck in Cricket? — Golden Duck, Diamond Duck & Types Explained
A duck is a zero score in cricket. Learn the difference between a golden duck, diamond duck, silver duck and why ducks matter more in Test cricket than T20.
A duck is when a batter is dismissed without scoring any runs. The word comes from the resemblance between the number 0 and a duck's egg — a usage dating back to Victorian-era scorebooks. A duck is one of cricket's most dreaded outcomes for a specialist batter: all that preparation, and nothing to show for it on the scorecard.
Types of duck
| Name | What it means |
|---|---|
| Duck | Dismissed for 0, regardless of balls faced. |
| Golden duck | Dismissed on the very first ball faced. |
| Diamond duck | Run out or otherwise dismissed without facing a single ball. |
| Silver duck | Dismissed for 0 on the second ball faced (less widely used term). |
| Pair | Scoring 0 in both innings of a Test match. |
| King pair | A golden duck in both innings of the same Test. |
Why a golden duck is especially painful
A golden duck — first-ball dismissal — is the most public form of failure in cricket. The batter walks to the crease, takes guard, faces one delivery, and walks straight back. In Test cricket, where batter technique is under the microscope, a golden duck from a top-order player can shift momentum dramatically in the first innings. A pair — two ducks in the same Test match — is considered a career-defining low point.
Ducks in different formats
A duck means more in Test cricket than in T20. A Test batter who contributes 0 in the first innings when the team needs runs has failed when it mattered most. In T20 cricket, a pinch-hitter sent in to attack might get out for 0 after taking a swing at the first ball — the duck was a deliberate strategic gamble, not necessarily a failure. In ODIs, a top-order duck in the first 10 overs is particularly costly because it wastes the powerplay opportunity when fielding restrictions are in play.
Notable duck records
Muttiah Muralitharan holds the Test record for most ducks — over 50 — though as a genuine No. 11 batter that was expected. Among top-order batters, the golden duck record in Test cricket tracks which specialist batters have been most susceptible to first-ball dismissals. Bowlers who regularly bag ducks — getting out for 0 — often become the target of short-pitched or swinging deliveries specifically designed to expose a technical weakness against the moving ball.
Frequently asked questions
What is a golden duck in cricket?
A golden duck is when a batter is dismissed on the very first ball they face, scoring 0. It is the most abrupt form of duck.
What is a diamond duck?
A diamond duck is when a batter is dismissed without facing a single delivery — typically run out at the non-striker's end before receiving a ball. It is rarer than a golden duck.
What is a pair in cricket?
A pair is when a batter scores 0 in both innings of the same Test match. A king pair is a golden duck in both innings of the same Test.
Is a not-out 0 the same as a duck?
No. A duck requires a dismissal. If a batter is stranded on 0 not out at the end of an innings, it is recorded as 0* and does not count as a duck.
Do ducks affect a batter's average?
Yes. A dismissed duck counts fully in the average calculation — it adds 0 runs to the numerator but adds 1 to the dismissals denominator, pulling the average down. A not-out 0 has no impact on average.