What is Pair Cricket? Pair Cricket Explained in 2 minutes

What is a Pair?

A pair in cricket is something every batsman wants to avoid, as a batsman who records a pair has been dismissed for no runs in both innings of a Test match.

This is also known in cricket terms as spectacles as the two zeros are said to look like a pair of glasses. In order for it to be classed as a pair, both innings have to be played.

A step up from a pair is a King Pair, and this is when a batsman is dismissed with the very first ball they face in each innings, otherwise known as a Golden Duck. Gaining a pair is highly embarrassing for a player and worsened by gaining a king pair.

A batsman who was dismissed for no runs in the first innings is said to come to the crease ‘on a pair’ for the second innings.

How is Pair used in Sports Betting?

A pair in cricket is rare and because of that, not all bookmakers run odds on that specific market.

However, some do, and an example would be to back James Anderson for England to get out for no runs in both of his innings during a Test match against India. As Anderson is primarily a bowler, he wouldn’t be expected to score many, if any, runs, although as he is low down the order, he may not bat twice either.

When making a pair bet, to stand the best possible chance of achieving a pay out would be to select a batter from a team who is in to bat first to ensure that team will definitely bat twice.

Also looking for a player lower down the order or the player deemed the night watchman as they are classed as having less skill with the bat thus supposedly enhancing your chances of coming out a winner.

Did you know…

Talented New Zealand fast bowler Chris Martin has certainly proved better with the ball than with the bat over the years and has been dismissed a record seven times by pair in his test match career.

That is three more than Sri Lankan top order batsman Marvan Atapattu who managed just one run in his first six innings.

See also

Method of Dismissal

Top Team Batsman

Top Team Bowler