1. Batsman Dismissals (How They Got Out)

Cracking open a cricket scorecard for the first time can feel like you're trying to decipher a secret code. With all its abbreviations, symbols, and numbers, it’s a language of its own. But once you learn the lingo, the whole story of a match unfolds right in front of you. Whether you're checking the latest on the England national cricket team or diving into an Ashes series scorecard, this guide will help you read it like a pro.

1. Batsman Dismissals (How They Got Out)

b. (Bowled)

The bowler has hit the stumps directly with the ball, dislodging at least one bail. It’s one of the most straightforward and classic modes of dismissal in the game.

c. (Caught)

The batsman hit the ball with their bat (or glove holding the bat) and a fielder caught it before it bounced. You’ll often see it combined with the fielder's name, e.g., c. Bairstow b. Broad.

lbw (Leg Before Wicket)

The ball, which would have gone on to hit the stumps, strikes the batsman's leg (or body) without them making contact with the bat first. Umpire's call is crucial here!

st. (Stumped)

The wicketkeeper removes the bails while the batsman is outside their crease and not attempting a run. It’s usually the keeper’s quick thinking against a charging batter.

run out

The batsman is out because the stumps at the end they are running towards are broken by the fielding side with the ball while the batsman is out of their crease.

hit wicket

The batsman accidentally dislodges their own stumps with their bat or body while playing a shot or setting off for a run.

retired out

The batsman voluntarily leaves the field, retiring their innings, and cannot return. This is different from being "retired hurt."

2. Batting & Bowling Entries

(Asterisk)

Placed next to a batsman's score, this indicates they are "not out" at the end of the innings. For example, Joe Root 89 means he finished unbeaten on 89 runs.

DNB (Did Not Bat)

This appears next to a player's name in the batting section if they were in the nominated XI but did not get a chance to bat in that innings.

AVE (Batting Average)

A key statistic showing a player's consistency. It’s calculated as total runs scored divided by the number of times they have been dismissed.

SR (Strike Rate)

Commonly used in limited-overs cricket, it measures how quickly a batsman scores (runs per 100 balls) or a bowler concedes runs (runs per 100 balls bowled).

Econ (Economy Rate)

The average number of runs a bowler concedes per over they bowl. A low economy rate, like that often maintained by James Anderson, indicates tight, controlling bowling.

O (Overs)

The number of six-ball (or eight-ball in some formats) overs a bowler has delivered. You might see it as "15.3" meaning 15 full overs and three balls of a 16th.

M (Maidens)

The number of overs in a bowler's spell where no runs were scored off the bat (byes, leg byes, wides, and no balls don't count against a maiden).

W (Wickets)

The number of batsmen a bowler has dismissed. The holy grail for any bowler is a "five-for" (5w), taking five wickets in an innings.

3. Extras (Runs Not Scored Off the Bat)

b (Byes)

Runs scored after the ball passes the batsman without touching bat or body. These are added to the team total but not to any individual batter's score.

lb (Leg Byes)

Runs scored after the ball hits the batsman's body (usually leg) and not the bat. The batsman must have attempted a shot. Like byes, they count for the team only.

w (Wides)

A delivery judged by the umpire to be too wide for the batsman to play a normal shot. It costs one run (plus any runs the batters scamper) and the ball must be re-bowled.

nb (No Ball)

An illegal delivery, most often for the bowler overstepping the front crease. It costs one run (plus any runs scored) and the batsman cannot be dismissed off that ball (except run out).

P (Penalty Runs)

Awarded for various breaches of the laws, like the fielding side damaging the pitch or a batter running on the protected area. They are added to the extras.

4. Match Status & Notes

Inns (Innings)

Refers to a team's or a player's turn to bat. A Test match consists of up to four innings (two per team).

Decl. (Declaration)

When the batting captain voluntarily ends their team's innings before all ten wickets have fallen, often to set up a game and try to force a win. A key tactical tool.

F/O (Follow-On)

In a Test match, if a team trails by 200 runs (or 150 in some older rules) after the first innings, the opposing captain can enforce the follow-on, making them bat again immediately.

c & b (Caught and Bowled)

When the bowler takes the catch off their own bowling. It appears in the batsman's dismissal note, e.g., c & b Stokes.

(c) (Captain)

Appears next to a player's name in the team list, denoting the captain. For instance, England captain Ben Stokes would be listed as "BA Stokes (c)".

(wk) (Wicketkeeper)

Appears next to the name of the player keeping wicket, like England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow listed as "JM Bairstow (wk)".

So, there you have it. The next time you’re looking at a scorecard from Lord's or analysing Bazball in action, you’ll be able to instantly see if Ollie Pope was caught behind, how many maidens Stuart Broad bowled, or how many no-balls cost the side. It turns columns of numbers into a dramatic story of collapse, partnership, and individual brilliance. Keep this glossary handy, and you’ll never be lost reading the tale of a match again.

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