Simon Hughes
Nelson – the dreaded score of 111. When this total is reached, the superstitious custom is for the batting team off the pitch (and umpire David Shepherd) to take their feet off the ground. The name was coined in the mistaken belief that Nelson had one eye, one arm and one leg: in fact, he had two legs.
New ball – a brand new ball will be issued to the fielding side at the beginning of an innings. In Tests, the fielding side are entitled to another new ball after 80 overs with the old one.
Nick – a ball grazing the edge of a bat (shortening of 'snick').
Nightwatchman – a tail-end batsman sent in near the end of the day above his usual position to protect more recognised batsmen from having to face the last few overs.
Nip/nip backer – bowlers who have 'nip' seem to make the ball gather pace off the pitch. A 'nip backer' is a ball that suddenly darts into the batsman from outside off stump.
No-ball – the umpire will call a no-ball when:
1. The bowler has completely overstepped the front line of
the crease.
2. He has cut the side line with his back foot.
3. The bowler has 'thrown' the delivery (i.e. his arm has extended from bent to straight on release).
4. There are more than two fielders behind square on the legside.
A no-ball counts one to the total (two in county cricket) and must be re-bowled. In theory, the batsman is getting
a free hit since he can't be out bowled, caught, lbw or stumped off a no-ball (though he can be run out). In practice, however, the umpire's no-ball call is invariably too late
for the batsman to take advantage of it.
Nurdle – to score runs by nudging the ball into gaps.
Copyright material reproduced under license from Macmillan Publishers Ltd. London, England
Copyright © Simon Hughes 2001
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