tailender

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tailender" is a valid and usable word in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to a person or group that follows or trails behind a larger or more successful group or entity. For example, "The tailenders of the relay race ran a much slower pace than the leaders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Indeed, so suspect was it, it made the most inept tailender seem like Geoff Boycott in his blocking pomp.

The Economist

He was also a hard-hitting tailender batsman who had six 50-run stands in Tests.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Debutant tailender Martin was no slouch either, in a stand of 77 which ended when McCullum aimed another huge hit at Broad (three for 118) but succeeded only in propelling the ball vertically.

Independent

Not entirely sure what Broad would've learned but if that's all it takes to make yourself unofficial tailender batting coach, then my CV is en route to Flower.

The Guardian - Sport

30th over: India 121-3 (Tendulkar 34, Mishra 1) Mishra is the new man at the crease, as India hedge their bets, sending out a tailender who's actually quite handy as nightwatchman.

The Guardian - Sport

That was like a tailender playing and missing at a Jimmy Anderson outswinger.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Quite why Broad adopted this plan of attack at the start of the day against two tailenders is a mystery.

The Guardian - Sport

Broad's bowling was the equivalent of an old spinner tossing it up to tailenders in the knowledge that they are bound to hole out in the end.

The Guardian - Sport

So from the start Broad set an extraordinary field to the tailenders with three or four men on the leg-side boundary.

The Guardian - Sport

Woakes, whose yorker claimed Ryan Sidebottom, finished with a season's best 5 for 42 and Rankin, bouncing out tailenders Steve Patterson and Jack Brooks, 4 for 29.

Independent

Since he took wickets as doomed tailenders laid about themselves like drunken reapers, his figures (9 for 82) were flattering.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tailender" in sports writing, provide context about the sport (e.g., cricket) to ensure clarity for readers unfamiliar with the term.

Common error

Avoid using "tailender" to describe any last-place participant; it's most appropriately used in sports, especially cricket, to denote batsmen with limited batting abilities.

Linguistic Context

The term "tailender" functions primarily as a noun, specifically referring to a player in cricket. It identifies a player who bats towards the end of the batting order, typically known for their bowling skills rather than their batting prowess. As per Ludwig, it is valid in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tailender" is a noun primarily used in the context of cricket to describe the batsmen who bat last in the batting order. These players are generally bowlers with limited batting ability. Ludwig confirms that the word is valid and usable in English, primarily appearing in News & Media sources. The semantic analysis reveals related terms like "bottom of the batting order" and "end of the lineup". It is important to note that using this word outside sports might be inappropriate, so it is better to use a more general alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bottom of the batting order

Specifies the position in cricket, more descriptive than just a general last player.

end of the lineup

This alternative refers specifically to the final positions in a list or team, emphasizing placement.

last batsman

Directly indicates the final batter in a cricket team.

weakest batsman

Focuses on batting ability, highlighting lack of skill rather than position.

lower-order batsman

Describes position in team's batting hierarchy, implies less batting skill.

final batsmen

Highlights it's the final players in a batting order.

last players

Simple and direct way to indicate the final members of a team.

rear guard

Emphasizes defensive role of the final players in a team.

stragglers

This word focuses on those who are lagging behind, often due to lack of skill or effort.

underdog

Indicates someone or a team with a low chance of winning, regardless of position.

FAQs

What does "tailender" mean in cricket?

In cricket, a "tailender" refers to one of the last four or five batsmen in the batting order, typically bowlers who have limited batting ability.

How is a "tailender" different from a top-order batsman?

A "tailender" is typically a bowler with limited batting skills, positioned at the end of the batting order, whereas a top-order batsman is skilled in batting and positioned at the start of the batting order.

Can "tailender" be used outside of sports contexts?

While primarily used in sports, especially cricket, "tailender" can metaphorically refer to someone or something at the end or bottom of a list or ranking. Consider alternatives like "last players" or "stragglers" for non-sporting contexts.

What are some strategies for bowling to a "tailender" in cricket?

Strategies often involve bowling fast and straight or using bouncers, aiming to exploit their limited batting skills. Sometimes Broad set an extraordinary field to the "tailenders" with three or four men on the leg-side boundary.