Dead bat
A defensive shot with the bat held in a loose grip and/or angled towards the ground. If the ball strikes the bat it loses momentum and falls quickly to the ground. Used to reduce the chance of being caught off an edge. Dead rubber
A match played in a series after one side has gained an unassailable lead, e.g. has already won 3 matches in a 5-match series, or in a tournament if both teams have already qualified (or failed to qualify) for the subsequent rounds. The term is used disparagingly to imply that the match is of lesser importance, but some regard the concept as outdated. Death bowler
A bowler who specialises in delivering the death overs at the end of a limited overs match. Because batsmen usually play very aggressively in this period, a death bowler must be particularly skilled at variations which are difficult to score from and/or unexpected by the batsman, such as yorkers and slower balls. Death overs
(or slog overs)
The final few overs of an innings in a limited overs match. Because only runs matter in determining the result, a batting side with wickets in hand will bat very aggressively in this period, seeking to hit every delivery for a boundary, even if it risks a dismissal. Typically the batting strike rate is highest in this period, and the bowlers economy is poorest. Death rattle
The sound of the ball breaking the wicket when a batsman is out bowled. Debenture
a certificate of loan agreement, used by some professional clubs to raise funding.
Rough
a worn-down section of the pitch, often due to bowlers footmarks, from which spinners are able to obtain more turn. Round the wicket
see around the wicket

Roundarm bowling
the type of bowling action in which the bowlers outstretched arm is perpendicular to their body when they release the ball. Round arm bowling is legal in cricket. Royal Duck
a dismissal for nought (zero), from the first ball faced in the game. Run
The basic unit of scoring: the team with the most runs wins the match (with rare exceptions if a rain rule is required). The two batsmen can score a run by both running from one end of the pitch to the other, grounding their bat or foot beyond the popping crease, before the fielding team can recover the ball and return it for a run out. This usually requires the striker to play a shot, directing the ball away from the fielders, in which case the run is credited to the striker. Multiple runs can be scored from a single delivery, or by hitting a boundary (either a four or a six). The batting team (but not an individual batsman) is credited with one or more runs if there are extras or penalty runs. Run chase
The act/task of the team batting second (in a limited-overs match) or batting fourth (in an unlimited overs match), trying to win a match by batting and surpassing the runs accumulated by the opponent.