A Sticky Wicket

Team Downton

 

 

Cricket, or the game that takes forever, shall always be a mystery to Americans.  P.G. Wodehouse hit upon this in his novel Picadilly Jim when the butler endeavors to explain it to an American.  Mr. Crocker bluntly asks, "Doesn't anything ever happen at cricket?" to which his trusty butler smiles and takes on the meaning of sticky wicket (which basically means the turf is wet, which is great for American football and a disaster for the British cricket).  No one can blame Branson for not wanting to learn how to play, as there are more rules than in a basic jurisdiction.

Here are a few basics associated with cricket, just so you can sound highly knowledgeable when watching cricket on the BBC.  Sports dress is called one's kit, so getting changed for cricket would be referred to as getting kitted out.  Please do not use the term pants when you are looking at their uniforms.  Pants only works in America, it refers to underwear in England.  Try the term trousers. Cricket team players wear white, referred to as whites (imagine that), so it is easier to see the red cricket ball as it is being bowled. Cricket Clubs have their own sweaters, with coordinating piping colors to match their club. Cricket helmets are highly encouraged, as it is not a pretty sight to see someone bludgeoned by a cricket ball.