A diamond duck is a rare way for a batter to get out in cricket. It happens when a batter is dismissed for 0 runs without facing a legal ball. The most common example is a new batter getting run out before facing a ball.
Diamond Duck vs Other Ducks
| Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Duck | Out for 0 runs |
| Golden Duck | Out for 0 on the first ball faced |
| Diamond Duck | Out for 0 without facing a legal ball |
| Pair | Out for 0 in both innings |
A diamond duck can happen when a batter is run out at the non-striker’s end. It can also happen if the batter is stumped off a wide. Since a wide is not counted as a legal ball, the batter has faced 0 legal balls.
In simple words, a diamond duck means a batter gets out for 0 without facing a legal delivery. It is one of the most unlucky dismissals in cricket.