Corridor of uncertainty

This expression has become much loved by cricket commentators in the 21st century and describes a notional area on or just outside the off-stump, in which the batsman is in two minds whether to play the ball or leave it alone. It was probably inspired by the expression corridors of power. Some sources affirm that it was popularised by England batsman turned commentator Geoffrey Boycott during the 1990s. Other sources maintain that cricket borrowed the expression from football where the corridor of uncertainty is a line on or near the six-yard box. Balls crossed into this area from the wings cause uncertainty in the minds of defenders. Geoffrey Boycott definitely used the expression while commenting on the 1995 Ashes Series in Australia but it is not absolutely certain he coined it.