What is a Golden Duck? Golden Duck Explained for New Cricket Bettors
Fact checked by:
Mike Goodpaster
Last Verified
26/06/2026
A golden duck is a term used in cricket and is used when a batsman is
dismissed
with the very first
delivery they face.
A dismissal can consist of the bowler taking the wicket of the batsman, the batsman being
caught
by the first delivery, a stumping, a run out
or a
leg before wicket
decision.
It is a highly embarrassing scenario for a batsman but something that all bowlers strive to achieve, and all batsmen try to avoid.
Bowlers will often try to take advantage of a new batter at the crease as they often take time to warm into their innings making the risk of a golden duck play on the batsman’s mind.
Although they are rare,
top bookmakers
allow for bets on golden ducks nonetheless.
Top Cricket Betting Odds
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How is Golden Duck used in Sports Betting?
Betting on a golden duck can be quite a niche
cricket betting market
but can be backed when looking at type of dismissal for a batsman.
For example, if you backed Alistair Cook to score no runs in an
innings
you may be able to back him to be dismissed with the first ball of his innings which would be a golden duck.
The odds on these are often quite long as a golden duck is a rare occurrence in professional cricket and perhaps a market that is more based on luck.
Most batsman will be happy to play a defensive shot from their first ball so as to get the bowlers range before committing to scoring shots.
Did you know…
Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan has been dismissed with the first ball he has faced more than any other cricketer, with 14 golden ducks to his name.
That means 8.54% of all Muralitharan’s dismissals were with the first ball in the 164 innings he has played.
See also
Diamond Duck
First Ball
Method of Dismissal
Platinum Duck
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