Dead ball -- When the ball is not in play, it is said to be 'dead'. The ball comes into play when the bowler starts his run-up. There are many instances when the ball is deemed to be "dead". The main ones occur when:

 It has finally settled in the hands of the bowler or wicketkeeper.
 It reaches or lands over the boundary.
A batsman is out.
It lodges in the clothing of a batsman or umpire, or the protective headgear of a member of the fielding side.
The umpire calls an end to an over, or the day's play.

Declaration -- The decision of the batting captain to close his innings. Usually made in order to give his bowlers time to bowl the other side out to win the match.

Deep --The part of the field away from the pitch and near to the boundary. Usually used in conjunction with the name of an infield position - e.g. deep square leg, deep extra cover.

Dibbly-dobbly -- Derogatory term applied to slow-medium paced bowling even less threatening than that of a trundler.

Did not bat -- Entry in the scorebook against a batsman who did not bat.

Dismiss -- To get a batsman out.

DNB -- See Did not bat.

Dolly catch -- A gentle, easy catch.

Dot ball -- A ball from which no run is scored and no wicket falls. So called because of the scorebook notation for such a ball.

Donkey-drop -- Style of slow bowling less threatening still than dibbly-dobbly.

Draw --
Any match that fails to produce a result is a draw. A drawn match is not necessarily a boring one, as many who should know better believe. A batting side stubbornly holding on to avoid defeat can be one of the most exciting spectacles in the game.

Drive -- A stroke that makes contact with the bowl as it pitches.

Delivery -- A bowled ball is called a delivery.

Duck -- When a batsman is out without scoring any runs. See also Golden Duck.