Cricket has its own unique terms, and one of the most unusual is the diamond duck in cricket. Fans often hear about golden ducks, platinum ducks, or even silver ducks, but the diamond duck is less common. For a batter, it is one of the most embarrassing ways to get out.
In this blog, we’ll explain what a diamond duck means, how it happens, the rules behind it, and examples from real matches.
What Is a Diamond Duck in Cricket?
A diamond duck in cricket happens when a batter is dismissed without facing a single delivery.
This means the player gets out before they even get a chance to play a ball. Unlike a golden duck (first-ball out), a diamond duck is about not facing a ball at all.
How Does a Diamond Duck Happen?
There are several ways a batter can get dismissed without facing a delivery:
- Run Out Without Facing a Ball
- A batter runs between wickets after entering the crease but gets run out before playing a ball.
- Timed Out
- If a new batter takes more than 3 minutes (as per ICC rules) to take guard, they can be given out without facing a ball.
- Obstructing the Field
- Rare, but if a batter intentionally obstructs fielders before facing a delivery, it may count as a diamond duck.
Difference Between Diamond Duck and Other Ducks
- Golden Duck → Out on the first ball faced.
- Silver Duck → Out on the second ball faced.
- Platinum Duck → Out on the very first ball of the innings (team’s first delivery).
- Diamond Duck → Out without facing any ball.
So while golden and silver ducks are about facing deliveries, a diamond duck is about not facing even one.
Rules Related to Diamond Duck in Cricket
- The dismissal must happen without the batter facing a legal delivery.
- Common dismissals include run out or timed out.
- Umpires record the duck officially in the scorebook.
According to ICC rules:
- Timed Out: If a new batter is not ready within 3 minutes, the fielding team can appeal, and the umpire may declare the batter out.
- Run Out: If the non-striker is run out before facing a ball, it counts as a diamond duck.
Famous Diamond Duck Examples in Cricket
1. In International Matches
- Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – Once dismissed run out without facing a ball.
- Andrew Symonds (Australia) – Recorded a diamond duck in an ODI.
2. In Domestic Cricket
Diamond ducks are more common in domestic T20 leagues because of quick run chases and risky running. Many players at lower levels face this dismissal.
Why Is a Diamond Duck Embarrassing?
- The batter has no chance to even defend a ball.
- Fans often see it as bad luck or poor running.
- It stays recorded in cricket statistics forever.
How Often Do Diamond Ducks Happen?
Compared to golden ducks, diamond ducks are rare. They mostly occur in T20 matches where aggressive running between wickets is common. In Test cricket, it’s unusual because players usually take time before running.
Diamond Duck in IPL and T20 Cricket
In the IPL and other leagues, fast scoring means players often take quick singles early. This sometimes leads to run outs before facing a delivery, resulting in a diamond duck.
Diamond Duck and Cricket Calculators
Some cricket terms like strike rate, required run rate, and net run rate involve calculations. A diamond duck affects these numbers because the batter’s strike rate becomes zero instantly.
👉 Check out our Cricket Calculators to understand strike rate, required run rate, and net run rate with easy online tools.
FAQ Section
1. What is a diamond duck in cricket?
It means a batter is dismissed without facing a single delivery.
2. How is a diamond duck different from a golden duck?
Golden duck = out first ball faced, Diamond duck = out without facing a ball.
3. How can a batter get a diamond duck?
Mostly by run out or timed out.
4. Can a diamond duck happen in Test cricket?
Yes, but it is rare.
5. What is a platinum duck in cricket?
Out on the first ball of the entire innings.
6. Is a diamond duck recorded in stats?
Yes, it counts officially as a duck.
7. Can a non-striker get a diamond duck?
Yes, if run out before facing a delivery.
8. Why is it called a diamond duck?
The term is used because it’s rarer than a golden duck.
9. Has a diamond duck happened in IPL?
Yes, several players have been run out without facing a ball in IPL history.
10. Is a diamond duck unlucky?
Yes, most fans and players see it as one of the unluckiest dismissals.
Conclusion
A diamond duck in cricket is one of the rarest and most unlucky dismissals. It happens when a batter is out without facing a single ball, usually through a run out or timed out decision. Unlike golden or silver ducks, the diamond duck is all about not getting a chance to play.
While rare, it adds to cricket’s drama and unpredictability. Fans may laugh at the misfortune, but for players, it is a moment they never want in their career.
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