The spelling of the phrase "around wicket" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word "around" is spelled /əˈraʊnd/, with the schwa vowel sound followed by the /r/ sound and the diphthong /aʊ/ (as in "cow"). The word "wicket" is spelled /ˈwɪkɪt/, with the stressed syllable containing the short /ɪ/ vowel sound followed by the /k/ and /t/ consonants. Together, the phrase is pronounced as /əˈraʊnd ˈwɪkɪt/.
The term "around wicket" is primarily used in the sport of cricket, specifically in relation to a specific shot played by a batsman. When a batsman chooses to play a shot "around wicket," it means that they are attempting to strike the ball on the leg side of the field, which is opposite to their natural batting side.
To understand the concept of "around wicket" better, it is important to grasp the general cricket terminology. A wicket refers to one set of three stumps, and a batsman typically stands astride this wicket while playing. The field surrounding the wicket can be divided into two halves: the off-side (side closest to the batsman's dominant hand) and the leg-side (side opposite to the batsman's dominant hand).
When a batsman plays a shot "around wicket," they essentially position themselves such that they can hit the ball towards the leg-side—a move that usually involves shuffling their feet to reposition their body. This type of shot is employed by batsmen to maneuver the ball in a specific direction, often to counteract a particular type of delivery by the bowler, exploit a gap in the fielding arrangement, or take advantage of a strategic opportunity.
The phrase "around wicket" is a concise way to refer to this specific type of shot played by the batsman attempting to strike the ball on the leg side, opposite to their natural batting side.
The terms "around wicket" are used in cricket to describe a particular type of bowling delivery. The etymology of the phrase can be understood by analyzing its individual components.
1. Around: In cricket, the term "around" refers to the direction of the bowler's delivery with respect to the wicket. When a bowler delivers the ball "around" the wicket, this means they are bowling from the side opposite to their normal bowling arm. For example, a right-handed bowler would deliver the ball from the left side of the wicket.
2. Wicket: In cricket, the wicket refers to the set of three stumps and two bails that form the target structure at which the bowler aims to dismiss the batsman. The wicket is located at one end of the pitch.