Definition

Noun: - (Cricket): An over in which no runs are scored by the batting side. The bowler and fielding team prevent the batsman from scoring any runs from the six legal deliveries.

Usage

This term is used exclusively in the sport of cricket to describe a specific and skillful achievement by the bowling side. It emphasizes defensive bowling and fielding.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• Consecutive maiden overs: Refers to bowling multiple maiden overs in a row, indicating sustained dominance by the bowler.
  • The bowler's spell included three consecutive maiden overs.
• A wicket maiden: An over in which no runs are scored a batsman is dismissed. This is an even more successful achievement than a standard maiden over.
  • She celebrated after bowling a wicket maiden to break the partnership.

Variants and Related Words

• Maiden (noun/adjective): While having other general meanings (e.g., a young unmarried woman, first), in cricket terminology, "maiden" is used adjectivally in this compound term. It is not used alone in cricket to mean a scoreless over; the full term "maiden over" is required.
• Over (noun): A set of six legal deliveries bowled by a single bowler from one end of the pitch.

Synonyms

• Scoreless over: A more descriptive, non-idiomatic synonym.
• Tight over: A broader term that can describe an over where very few (but not necessarily zero) runs are scored.

Notes

• This is a fixed compound noun specific to cricket jargon. The word "maiden" here does not carry its common modern meanings.
• The achievement is credited to the bowler in official statistics.

Noun

1. (cricket) an over in which no runs are scored