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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 866 |
I think it possible that the meaning of "sticky wicket" is slightly different to those proposed thus far - including that in the URL supplied.
It's possible that "sticky" could refer to the cricket ball's interaction with the pitch/wicket. What I'm driving at is that a completely dry pitch could, if its surface was cracked and uneven (say after a couple of day's play), be regarded as sticky. The ball sticks briefly to it at the time of bouncing - thus giving the unpredictable change in flight so desired by spin and seam bowlers.
It could also refer to the situation a batsman finds himself in when batting on a seaming and turning wicket.
Either way, water on the pitch is irrelevant.
I'd never thought of the phallic connotations - but will do so for ever more!!
stales
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear Major K: Please forgive me if I have introduced entendres not welcome to you. I am in agony trying to guess what entendres your Dad was willing to share with you.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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veteran
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veteran
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,289 |
Faldage's notion of the Brits taking up chorale singing instead of cricket is a fascinating idea to ruminate on. If they had started chorale competitions (sort of like the Welsh with their eisteddfods [sp.??]) and ran them like cricket games, you would have them maybe starting out at 10:00 a.m. with something like the famous Byrd motet that has 40 real parts, going on with Palestrina and Lassus, breaking for lunch and tea, and going until dark, at which time, the auditory would be in even worse condition than an American crowd at a cricket game.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Or, as the Duke of Ellington said, "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that certain je ne sais quoi. Or something like that.
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Posts: 618
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 618 |
Ok folks, here's the truth®. A sticky wicket refers to how much moisture is IN the pitch, not ON the pitch. A true sticky wicket is uncommon these days due to better pitch preparation and tarpaulin etc coverings. It is a very literal description – the ball actually sticks, albeit temporarily, to the wicket when it is being bowled. But only sometimes, which is what makes a sticky wicket such a nightmare to bat on. The ball usually slows down, and bounces less, but occasionally bounces perfectly normally. It turns a lot more (ie moves sideways after bouncing) as it grips the pitch (aka wicket, but trying to avoid confusion) much more. Suits medium pace bowlers, and spinners to a lesser degree. A dry cracked pitch, while giving the same turn, bounces much more and is usually truer and more predictable. Any questions?
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
Just for your further enlightenment, the three sticks at each end of the wicket, which the bowler tries to knock down and the batsman defends, are known as "stumps." Here endeth my knowledge of cricket! 
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
The stumps are the three uprights. The two cross pieces are the bails. The whole is the wicket. This does not preclude the term wicket from being used with other meanings.
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Joined: Aug 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
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Just for your further enlightenment, .... Here endeth my knowledge of cricket! TMI. More than I ever wanted to know about the subject.
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