Wicket

In cricket, a wicket is a set of three stumps each of which is a wooden post, with two bails which are wooden crosspieces, balanced on top. It serves as the target for the bowler, who aims to knock the bails off the stumps with the ball. A batter defends the wicket, and scoring occurs when runs are made while the wicket remains intact, or when a batter can run between the wickets before the bowler knocks down the wicket. The term can also refer to the structure itself, the area of the pitch where the stumps are placed. The word can also refer to a small door or gate, or a small window.

Wicket meaning with examples

• The bowler ran in and bowled a fiery delivery, aiming to dislodge the bails from the wicket. The batter, alert and focused, played a defensive shot, protecting the wicket. Despite the aggressive pace of the bowler, the wicket remained standing, and no runs were scored. The umpire closely monitored the batsman's stance in relation to the wicket to be sure it was not too wide of the target.
• The batsman successfully defended the wicket, the cricket ball passing closely by it and avoiding contact. The fielding team set a close-in field, hoping to get a chance to break the wicket. The crowd cheered as the batter hit the ball, but the fielder successfully caught the ball before it landed and the batter was out with the wicket intact. The bowler's frustration was evident after another delivery passed the wicket unscathed.
• The batter’s quick footwork allowed him to steal a single while the fielding team was retrieving the ball and before they could attack the wicket. The spin bowler attempted to deceive the batsman, hoping the ball would spin and hit the wicket. The umpire signaled 'out' when the ball hit the batter’s leg in front of the wicket. The tension was palpable as the final over began, the defending team hoping to defend their score and protect the wickets.
• He went through the wicket with the ball and the batsmen completed the run. After the ball struck the batsman's pad, the fielding side appealed for LBW but the ball was going over the wicket. The wicket was re-erected after the bails were dislodged and the fielding team prepared for the next ball. It was a beautiful day to see the wickets fly and hear the crowd roar.