Nelson - The English superstition that 111 and its multiples are unlucky. The sticks resemble 111, and is loosely connected with Lord Nelson's physical attributes. Double Nelson is 222
Nervous nineties - The psychological pressure on the batsman knowing he is approaching a century
New ball - Can usually be taken every 80 overs. The advantage is to quick bowlers who have a shiny and bouncy ball, but conversely it can result in an increase in scoring rate as the ball comes off the bat faster
Nick - A faint edge off the bat
Nightwatchman A non-batsman promoted up the order towards the end of a day's play with the idea of shielding a recognised batsman in the final overs
No-ball - An illegitimate delivery, usually when the bowler has overstepped on the front crease
Nurdle - The batsman nudging the ball around and into gaps
Obstruction - When the batsman wilfully blocks or distracts a fielder to prevent a catch being made or a run-out being effected
Occupy the crease - When a batsman stays at the wicket but scores slowly, often with the intention of playing out for a draw
Off-break/spin - A ball turning into the right hander- from off to leg (from left to right)
Off-cutter - An offbreak delivered at speed
Off the mark When the batsman scores his first run
Off-side The side of the pitch which is to batsman's right (if right-handed), or left (if left-handed)
On-side The same as the leg-side
On the up - Making contact with the ball before it reaches the top of the bounce - hitting it on the rise. Viv Richards was a prominent exponent
Out - There are ten possible ways of being out: bowled, caught, hit wicket, lbw, stumped, timed out, handled the ball, obstruction, hit the ball twice, and run out. To be out "retired out" is gaining in currency and popularity and counts as a dismissal, unlike "retired hurt"
Outside edge - When the ball hits the edge of the bat which is furthest away from his body
Outswing - When the ball swings away from the batsman and towards the slips
Paddle - A sweep shot
Pair - When a batsman gets a duck in both innings
Pinch-hitters - Lower-order batsmen promoted in the line-up to try and hit up a few quick runs. Used mostly when a team is chasing a huge total in a one-dayer - the thinking being that a few quick runs will reduce the asking rate; and if the pinch-hitter gets out, the specialist batsmen are still around
Pitch - The bounce of the ball - "it pitches on a good length". Also, the cut strip in the centre of the field of play
Play on - When a batsman hits the ball but it goes on to hit the stumps and he is bowled
Plumb - When the batsman is clearly LBW, even at full speed, he is said to be plumb in front.
Pudding - A slow, stodgy pitch which will be difficult to score quickly on
Pull - a back-foot leg-side shot, distinct from the hook because the pull is played to a ball that hasn't risen as high.
Return Crease Parallel white lines pointing down the pitch, either side of the stumps. A bowler's back foot must land inside this area or else a no-ball will be called.
Retire To postpone or end one's innings, either voluntarily through boredom when you're simply too good for the opposition, or involuntarily and in agony, when a nasty fast bowler has taken his pound of flesh
Reverse Sweep The epitome of the type of shot you will not find in the MCC coaching manual. This stroke is played by dropping to one knee and reversing one's hands, so that you can swing the ball from leg to off, rather than the more natural off to leg. It is a handy stroke for beating conventional fields in a one-day game, but it has its drawbacks as well - just ask Mike Gatting
Reverse Swing When the ball is 50 overs old and the pitch is as flat as a pancake, this phenomenon is often a bowling side's saving grace. First mastered by the Pakistani quicks of the 1980s and 1990s, it involves sideways movement of the ball through the air that is contrary to your average everyday laws of physics. If it sounds like rocket science, that is because it is
Rip Big turn for a spin bowler, especially a legspinner, who can use the whole action of the wrist to impart maximum revolutions on the ball. Shane Warne, consequently, bowls a lot of "rippers"
Ring Field A standard fielding arrangement, with men positioned in a circle all around the bat saving the single
Rock Colloquial term for cricket ball
Roll To flatten the playing surface with a heavy rolling device. At the end of an innings, the side about to start their innings will be offered the choice of a heavy or light roller
Roller A heavy rolling device designed to flatten the surface of the pitch
Rope Used to mark the perimeter of the field. If the ball crosses or hits the rope, a boundary will be signalled
Rough The area of a pitch that is scuffed up and loosened by the action of a bowler running through in his follow-through. Usually, this will be situated a foot or so outside leg stump, and consequently it becomes a tasty target for spin bowlers, who can exploit the extra turn to make life a misery for the batsmen
Run-chase Generally the fourth innings of a first-class or Test match, and the latter stages of a one-day game, when the match situation has been reduced to a set figure for victory, in a set time or maximum number of overs
Run-rate Of particular importance in a one-day game, this is the average number of runs scored per over, and is used as a guide to a team's progress (see Duckworth Lewis)
Run-up The preparatory strides taken by a bowler as they steady themselves for delivery. Also the area in which they perform said action
Runner A player who is called upon by a batsman who might otherwise need to retire hurt. He is required to wear the same padding and stands at square leg or the non-striker's end to perform the duty of running between the wickets. Often the cause of endless confusion and inevitable run-outs
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