All about Ducks in Cricket

Ducks the most interesting topic, not the most interesting one for a batsman atleast :). A duck out means the batsman has got out without scoring a single run. A golden duck is the one where the batsman gets out on the first ball he faces, most disgusting way to get out as far I feel. Also the Diamond duck is the one where the batsman gets out without even facing a ball, well, this can only happen by the way of RUN out, the most unfortunate way to get out. But there is different opinion about the Diamond duck in some groups, as they say a Diamond duck is the one where a Wicket falls on the first ball of the Match (can be either Test or ODI).. Though the terms related to ducks can't be found in the Rules of cricket, these are words mainly used by commentators and media ;).... Lets go into a bit of history and see how duck was indicated by TV channels especially channel 9 of Australia.. When I used to watch Cricket in 90's when some body gets out with out scoring they used show to a disappointed Donald duck walking back to the pavilion very slowly, used to be very funny, but now a days the duck animated character is not that much seen..may the batsmen complained on this ;)....

Also there is a term used in Test cricket when a batsman gets in both the innings for duck on the first ball he faces is Called as King Pair... this golden duck should be awarded to them...just for fun :)

New ODI rules from India vs Australia ODI series

India and Australia have decided to implement the ICC's proposed one-day international rule changes for their seven-match series, starting with today's ODI in Bangalore. The modifications, which were supposed to come into effect from October 1, have been advanced to avoid a mid-series adjustment.

In June, the ICC had ruled the following changes in ODI playing conditions:
An additional fielder will be allowed outside the fielding circle during the second or third Powerplays.

If an ODI innings is reduced, the numbers of overs making up each of the three Powerplays shall be reduced proportionately.

If a bowler bowls a front foot no-ball, the following delivery will be deemed a free hit and the batsman cannot be dismissed by the bowler from that delivery. He can only be run out.
There will be a mandatory change of the ball at the start of the 35th over of each innings; the replacement will be a clean used ball.

The ICC had also increased the stipulated minimum boundary sizes for all international matches, with the square boundary measuring at least 150 yards from one side of the ground to the other [minimum 65 yards on one side; previous total minimum size was 140 yards]; and the straight boundaries 70 yards at both ends [previous minimum was 65 yards]; maximum boundaries to be used allowing for three yards between boundary rope and advertising boards up to a maximum of 90 yards from the centre of the pitch.

LBW rule explained - how it works

LBW - Leg Before Wicket, is a rule in cricket where it restricts batsmen to disallow to use pads and prevent the ball hitting stumps. Actually LBW is one of the ways a batsman can get OUT. The basic rules are like this

1. The ball is going to hit the stumps, but it was prevented by batsman using his pads or his body.
2. The ball did not pitch outside the LEG stump,
3. The ball hits the batsman in LINE, (a batsman can be declared LBW even if the ball hits outside the line of off stump but in this case he is not trying to play a shot, that means he is trying to leave the ball alone)

So, if the above rules are true, then the bowler can appeal for the leg before and Umpire can declare him OUT.

more info...

Sometimes, if the ball pitches outside the off stump some umpires doesn't give the batsman OUT even if the ball is hitting in line of stumps, the thing to note here is that, umpire thinks that the angle of the ball might make it miss the stumps.

Technology: The recent hawk eye technology has been a good measure to see weather leg before decisions are correct or not, but this was just restricted for television commentators to analyse, and it was good thing not to use this technology for LBW decisions, as it would almost make the umpires standing in the middle pointless.

There is an example where an umpire can declare LBW when the ball is hitting something other than the batsmans PAD

http://iravaiiravai.blogspot.com/2007/09/sachin-tendulkar-ducks-into-lbw.html