Biffer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Biffer is a cricketing slang term for an attacking batsman. A biffer is the opposite of a blocker, being a defending player.
In earlier times (particularly pre-World War II) cricketers were either amateur (Gentlemen) or professional (Players). Typically, but not universally, amateurs would be "biffers" and professionals "blockers".
The word derives from the slightly archaic transitive verb, "biff" which means "hit".
Today, biffers tend to be known as big hitters.
[edit] List of notable biffers in cricket history
Gilbert Jessop (former first-class cricketer; one of the first biffers)- Ted Alletson (former first-class cricketer; in one innings broke several records, a clock and part of a bar)
Shahid Afridi (current Pakistani Test all-rounder)- Sir Ian Terence Botham OBE (former England Test all-rounder)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (current India Test batsman)- Andrew Flintoff MBE (current England Test all-rounder)
Adam Gilchrist (current Australian Test batsman)- Kevin Pietersen MBE (current England Test batsman)
Sir Vivian Richards (former West Indies Test batsman)
