double wicket
C2Technical / Sport / Journalistic (cricket reporting)
Definition
Meaning
A situation in cricket where two batsmen are dismissed from consecutive deliveries or within a short period during an innings.
1. In cricket, a specific event causing two dismissals quickly, often celebrated as a turning point. 2. By metaphorical extension, any rapid, double setback or loss in a competitive context.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is a compound noun specific to cricket. It describes an event, not a physical object. The term 'wicket' in this context refers to the dismissal of the batsman, not the set of stumps.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusive to cricket-playing nations (e.g., UK, Australia, India). It is almost never used or understood in American English without specific cricket context.
Connotations
In the UK and Commonwealth, it conveys excitement and a potential shift in a match's momentum. In the US, it has no inherent connotation due to lack of exposure.
Frequency
High frequency in sports media of cricket-playing nations; virtually zero frequency in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Bowler] took a double wicket with consecutive balls.The match turned on a crucial double wicket.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or sociological analysis of sport.
Everyday
Only in conversations about cricket among fans.
Technical
Core term in cricket commentary, statistics, and match reports.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The bowler produced a devastating double-wicket over.
- It was a classic double-wicket maiden.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bowler was happy after taking a double wicket.
- Anderson's double wicket in the morning session completely shifted the momentum towards England.
- The leg-spinner's double-wicket maiden, which removed both set batsmen, was hailed as the defining moment of the tense run-chase.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WICKET gate with two doors (DOUBLE) being shut quickly, one after the other, barring two batsmen from continuing.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DOUBLE WICKET is a STRIKE/COUP in a battle, removing two key opponents in quick succession.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'двойная калитка', which is nonsensical. The concept is 'два уикета подряд' or 'два быстрых уикета'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He double-wicketed them').
- Confusing it with 'double-wicket tournament', which is a different format involving pairs of players.
Practice
Quiz
In which sport is the term 'double wicket' exclusively used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost, but it emphasises the quick, successive nature of the dismissals, often implying a significant impact on the game.
No, it is solely a noun. The correct phrasing is 'to take a double wicket'.
No, it is a highly specialised piece of sports jargon with little to no recognition in countries like the USA where cricket is not popular.
This is a different, though related, term for a cricket format where teams consist of pairs of batters, not to be confused with the event of taking two wickets in quick succession.