Getting out without scoring a run is called a duck in cricket. There are different types of ducks based on how a batter gets out. One of the most famous is the Golden Duck.
What Is a Golden Duck?
A Golden Duck happens when a batter gets out on the very first ball they face without scoring any runs. For example, if a new batter comes to the crease and is dismissed on the first ball, it is called a Golden Duck.
Why Is It Called a Golden Duck?
The word duck means a score of zero in cricket. The word golden is used because the batter gets out on the first ball, making it an even more disappointing dismissal.
Different Types of Ducks in Cricket
| Type of Duck | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| Regular Duck | Out for 0 after facing one or more balls. |
| Golden Duck | Out on the first ball faced without scoring. |
| Silver Duck | Out on the second ball faced without scoring. |
| Bronze Duck | Out on the third ball faced without scoring. |
| Diamond Duck | Out for 0 without facing a legal ball, such as being run out at the non-striker’s end or stumped off a wide. |
| Royal Duck | The opening batter gets out on the first ball of the team’s innings without scoring. |
Can Any Batter Get a Golden Duck?
Yes. Any batter can get a Golden Duck, whether they are:
- Opening batter
- Middle-order batter
- Lower-order batter
- Tailender
A Golden Duck is when a batter is dismissed on the first ball they face without scoring a run. It is one of the quickest ways for a batter to get out and can happen in any format of cricket. Along with the Golden Duck, cricket also has other types of ducks such as the Regular Duck, Silver Duck, Bronze Duck, Diamond Duck, and Royal Duck.