wicketkeeper

English

A wicketkeeper at Woore Cricket Club

Alternative forms

• wicket-keeper
• wickie

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.
   • 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.

Synonyms

• keeper

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