What is Maiden in cricket?

A maiden has multiple different meanings when it comes to cricket. Maiden is a term which is used to describe when no runs are scored. Maiden can also be used to highlight a player’s first achievement such as first century, first wicket for all those things we can use the term Maiden.

When it comes to bowling, maiden is used when a player does not score any run in six balls of the over. That term is called maiden over.

So, while it can be confusing at times, maiden carries different meanings depending on the context of the game. Maiden is used to describe both the first milestone of a player also the lack of any runs scored by the batter

Maiden century meaning in cricket

A “maiden century” refers to a cricketer’s first ever score of 100 runs in a single innings. When the commentator says he has scored his maiden century it means that the batter has completed his first ever century.

  • Maiden can be used only when it is the first instance.

  • When a bowler takes his first ever wicket in cricket, it is called his maiden wicket.

  • The same is the case when a batter scored his first half-century; it can be referred to as a maiden half-century.

  • Maiden double century refers to when a batter scores 200 for the first time in a single innings.

  • Maiden triple century is when a batter scores 300 for the first time in a single innings.

MAIDEN over in cricket

An over consists of six balls in cricket. When there is no run made by the batter each of those six balls it is called a maiden over. In a conventional Maiden Over, the bowler delivers six consecutive balls without conceding a single run. It may still involve extras like leg-byes or byes for example that are not attributed to the bowler.

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Types of Maiden over

Wicket Maiden Over

A Wicket Maiden Over is a better version of a Maiden Over. In this scenario, not only does the bowler not concede any runs, but he also manages to dismiss at least one batter during the over.

Double wicket maiden - If a bowler concedes no runs and dismiss two batters during the over it is called a double wicket maiden. The same scenario if he dismisses three batters it is called a triple wicket maiden.

What are the extras that are excluded in maiden over?

Extras such as wide and no ball will count as a run towards the bowler so in that case, there cannot be a maiden over if there is a wide or no ball in the over.

Byes are attributed to the wicket-keeper's column so the bowler can still get a maiden even if he concedes a bye. Similarly Leg Byes are not counted towards the bowlers so a bowler can concede leg byes and still get a maiden over.