page_title: Glossary of cricket terms
section_title: B
hierarchical_section_title: Glossary of cricket terms / B
caption_attribution_description: A used cricket ball
context_page_description: This is a general glossary of the terminology used in the sport of cricket. Where words in a sentence are also defined elsewhere in this article, they appear in italics. Certain aspects of cricket terminology are explained in more detail in cricket statistics and the naming of fielding positions is explained at fielding.
  Cricket is known for its rich terminology. Some terms are often thought to be arcane and humorous by those not familiar with the game.
context_section_description: Back foot
  1.  When batting, the foot that is closest to the stumps. For a right-hand batsman's stance, the back foot is the right foot; for a left-hand batsman it is the left foot.
  2.  When bowling, the foot which contacts the ground before the front foot i.e. the back foot is the second contact before the ball is released. Usually the back foot is also the bowling foot, unless the bowler's action is off the wrong foot.
  Back foot contact
  The point in a bowling action when the back foot lands on the ground, just before release of the ball.
  Back foot shot
  A shot played with the batsman's weight on their back foot. Most commonly used when aiming behind square.
  Back spin
  (Also under-spin.) A delivery with a backward spin, so that after pitching the ball immediately slows down, or bounces lower and skids on to the batsman.
  Backing up
  1.  The non-striking batsman leaving their crease during the bowler's action, before the ball is released. This shortens the distance the batsman will need to cover to score a run, if the striker completes a shot. Backing up too far or too early risks a run out, either by one of the fielders, or by the bowler in a mankad.
  2.  A fielder placing themselves on the far side of the wicket from a team-mate who is throwing the ball at the stumps to attempt a run out. The fielder who is backing up can then recover the ball if the throw misses the stumps, thereby preventing overthrows.
  Backlift
  Lifting the bat in preparation to hitting the ball.
  Badger
  A particularly enthusiastic cricketer, someone with an extreme love of the game.
  bad light
  In a match played during the day, "bad light" refers to the umpires taking the players from the field because the ambient light has dimmed to the point that the ball has become difficult to see. Done for both fairness and the safety of the batsmen. Often shortened simply to light. See also offer the light.
  Baggy green
  A cricket cap of myrtle green colour, which has been worn by Australian Test cricketers since around 1900. The cap is a symbol of Australian cricket, and the term is strongly associated with national cricketing pride.
  Bail
  One of the two small pieces of wood that lie on top of the stumps to form the wicket.
  Ball
  1.  The spherical object which the bowler propels towards the batsman, who may attempt to hit it with the bat. Constructed of leather stiched around a cork core. A red ball is used in timed matches (or a pink ball for day/night cricket), whilst a white ball is used in limited overs cricket.
   
  2.  A single delivery. Each over contains six (legal) balls.
  Ball tampering
  Illegally modifying the condition of the ball, usually by a fielder to facilitate swing bowling. Ball tampering is a form of cheating, so accusations are often controversial.
  Bang (It) In
  To bowl a delivery on a shorter length with additional speed and force. The bowler is said to be "bending their back" when banging it in.
  Bat
  The wooden implement which the batsman uses to hit the ball. Usually constructed in two pieces, the rectangular-sectioned blade and cylindrical handle, which are joined at the splice.
  Bat-pad
  A fielder placed close to the batsman on the leg side to catch the ball if it hits the bat and pad (in either order), and rises to a catchable height. Also a defence against being given out lbw, that the ball may have hit the bat first, however indiscernible.
  Batsman
   A player on the batting side, or a player whose speciality is batting, or one of the two members of the batting side who are currently at the crease. The Laws of Cricket specify that the term 'batsman' applies regardless of the player's gender; however some players and commentators in women's cricket prefer to use 'batter' or 'batswoman' instead.
  Batting
  The act and skill of defending one's wicket and scoring runs.
  Batting average
  The average number of runs scored per innings by a batsman, calculated by dividing the batsman's total runs scored by the number of times the batsman was out.
  Batting collapse
  When several batsmen are dismissed in rapid succession for very few runs. The terms top order collapse or 
caption: A worn ball
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