Yorker

/ˈjɔrkər/ noun

Definition

In cricket, a ball bowled to bounce at or near the batsman's feet, making it difficult to hit effectively.

Etymology

Named after Yorkshire County Cricket Club, whose bowlers in the 1800s were particularly skilled at delivering this type of ball. The term emerged in cricket terminology during the late 19th century as regional playing styles became associated with specific techniques.

Kelly Says

The yorker is considered one of cricket's most devastating deliveries because it targets the most vulnerable spot for a batsman - right at their feet where it's nearly impossible to get under the ball for a powerful shot. Master bowlers can deliver yorkers at over 90 mph, giving batsmen mere milliseconds to react.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.