What is a Duck in Cricket? Golden Duck, Silver Duck & More
A duck in cricket means a batsman is out for 0 runs. Learn the golden duck, silver duck, diamond duck, and infamous duck records — including the most ducks in Test history.
In cricket, a 'duck' is when a batsman is dismissed for zero runs. The term comes from the egg-shaped zero (0) on the scoreboard, which looks like a duck's egg — a tradition dating back to the 19th century. While any batsman occasionally scores a duck, scoring them consistently is a major problem: a duck contributes nothing to the team's total and uses up a wicket.
Types of duck
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Duck | Dismissed for 0 runs (at any point in the innings) |
| Golden Duck | Dismissed for 0 off the very first ball faced |
| Silver Duck | Dismissed for 0 off the second ball faced |
| Diamond Duck | Run out for 0 without facing a single ball (e.g. run out going for a bye) |
| Platinum Duck | Dismissed first ball of the innings — opener's first delivery |
Golden duck — the most embarrassing dismissal
A golden duck (dismissed off the first ball) is considered one of cricket's most embarrassing outcomes, especially for a senior batsman or in a high-pressure match. The batsman walks to the crease, faces one delivery, and walks back. It can happen to any batter — some of the greatest cricketers have fallen for golden ducks in crucial matches.
Diamond duck — the rarest type
A diamond duck occurs when a batsman is dismissed for 0 without facing a single ball. The most common scenario: a batsman at the non-striker's end is run out while going for a run. They have faced no balls, yet they are out for 0. This most often happens to tailenders who arrive at the crease mid-over and find themselves at the non-striker's end for the next ball.
Duck records
Courtney Walsh (West Indies) holds the record for most ducks in Test cricket with 43 ducks in 185 Test innings — the consequence of being one of the most productive fast bowlers of his era but among the worst tail-end batsmen. Among specialist batsmen, the duck records are far lower, as top-order players are more technically equipped to avoid first-ball dismissals.
Famous golden duck
Don Bradman walked to the crease in his final Test innings at The Oval, 1948, needing 4 runs to finish with a Test average of exactly 100. He was bowled by Eric Hollies for 0 — a golden duck — leaving his average at 99.94. It remains one of sport's most poignant 'what ifs'.
Scoring a duck in white-ball cricket
In T20 cricket, ducks are more damaging than in Tests because the innings is only 20 overs. A top-order batsman who scores a duck leaves the team with one fewer wicket and typically triggers a collapse of momentum in the dressing room. In Tests, a duck in the first innings can be recovered with a second innings, but in limited-overs cricket there is no second chance.
Frequently asked questions
What is a duck in cricket?
A duck in cricket means a batsman is dismissed for 0 runs. The name comes from the egg-shaped zero on the scoreboard resembling a duck's egg.
What is a golden duck in cricket?
A golden duck is when a batsman is dismissed off the very first ball they face (for 0 runs). It is one of the most embarrassing outcomes in batting, especially for senior players in pressure situations.
What is a diamond duck in cricket?
A diamond duck is when a batsman is dismissed for 0 without facing a single delivery — most commonly run out at the non-striker's end. They never faced a ball yet are still recorded as out for 0.
Who has the most ducks in Test cricket?
Courtney Walsh (West Indies) holds the record for most ducks in Test cricket with 43 ducks — a consequence of his role as a specialist fast bowler who batted at No. 11 for most of his career.