Why is a "sticky wicket" known as a sticky wicket?

Question

I realise it is something to do with cricket but is it simply a wickley, tricky, cricket wicket?

Answer 1

Meaning: A difficult situation.

Origin: A sticky problem - in cricketing parlance 'having a yielding surface after rain'.

The term sticky wicket comes from a situation in which rain has dampened the pitch. This makes the path of the ball more unpredictable thus making the job of defending the stumps that much more difficult. The full phrase is thought to originate from "to bat on a sticky wicket." Such pitches were commonplace at all levels of the game (i.e. up to Test Match level) until the late 1950s.

Answer 2

In cricket, the term "sticky wicket" refers to a wicket (pitch) which becomes wet through rain but then dries out quickly, leaving the pitch a little spongy. This causes an slowing effect on the ball when it hits the pitch, making it bounce up unpredictably and therefore making it hard to bat successfully.

However, genuine "sticky wickets" are now practically unknown in the sport, because all proper wickets have been covered during rain for about fifty years. So it ihas become something of an old-fashioned and redundant phrase.

The phrase also passed into ordinary non-cricket useage, and means any situation which is awkward or difficult to overcome.

Answer 3

In general terms, a sticky wicket is a wicket difficult to bat.

wicket was originally (and can still be) a small door or grille, especially one cut into a larger door. It was borrowed in the early eighteenth century to refer to the three wooden sticks called stumps that form the structure at which the bowler aims and which the batsman must defend. In the usual double-ended game there are two sets, 22 yards apart. By a further extension, the word came to apply to the ground between them (we’re now some way from a small door, but the sequence is plain). After rain, the ground becomes soft and the ball bounces more erratically, making it more difficult for the batsman. Hence a sticky wicket, in full to bat on a sticky wicket. To be on one, figuratively speaking, is to experience great difficulty.

Answer 4

A sticky wicket is a form of saying that something is difficult.
Wicket are the four sticks behind the batsman and there are
three little sticks on top of the wicket. To strike the batsman out
the ball must knock of the little sticks, there are other ways of
knocking them off, but the essence of the phrase suggests
that the little sticks on top are stuck on, thus the difficulty. It is
rather a snobbish saying and only used by the upper class.
Sticky wicket old boy!

Answer 5

It refers to a batsman who is very difficult to get out. It is as if he is stuck to the wicket, hence "ir's a sticky wicket"

Answer 6

Are you referring to the resent I.C.C Champions Trophy in India were they sprayed glue on the pitch to hold it together,hence a "sticky Wicket".????ha ha ha.

Answer 7

IT IS A WICKET WHICH HAS HAD A LOT OF RAIN ON IT AND THEN HAS DREIED

Answer 8

im sure my dad used to say that like saying "cheers" when you have a drink - I may be thinking of somthing totally different though...

Answer 9

i dont kno