wicketkeeper

English

A wicketkeeper at Woore Cricket Club

Alternative forms

• wicket-keeper

Etymology

From wicket +‎ keeper.

Pronunciation

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

wicketkeeper (plural wicketkeepers)

1. (cricket) A player who stands behind the batsman’s wicket ready to catch the ball, or to stump the batsman.

   Synonyms: keeper, wickie

   • 1990, Ashes: Battles and Bellylaughs, Byron Bay: Swan Publishing, page 207:

     England's wicket-keeper in the 50s, he was fearless about standing on the stumps to fastish bowlers[.]

   • 2011, Shehan Karunatilaka, Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Mathew, Jonathan Cape, page 210:

     The fielder clad in armour who squats behind the batsman should be respected as a specialist and not treated as a dabbler. The wicketkeeper controls the mood around the pitch. His gloves hold most of the catches, his voice accompanies every appeal. He is the factory foreman, responsible for every ball.

Derived terms

• keep wicket
• wicket-keeping gloves

Related terms

• wicketkeeping

Translations

A player positioned behind the batsman ready to catch the ball, or to the batsman.

• Maori: tautopenga, ringahopu