In cricket, the term "stumps" has multiple meanings:
1. Stumps as Equipment
- Stumps are the three vertical wooden posts that form part of the wicket at each end of the pitch.
- Each set of stumps is 28 inches (71.1 cm) tall and placed 9 inches (22.9 cm) apart.
- The three stumps are called the off stump (closest to the batter's bat), middle stump (center), and leg stump (on the batter's leg side).
- The stumps support two small pieces of wood called bails that sit on top of them to complete the wicket
2. Stumped as a Mode of Dismissal
- A batsman is stumped when they step out of their crease to play a shot, miss the ball, and the wicketkeeper removes the bails before the batsman can return to the crease.
- This dismissal can only be effected by the wicketkeeper without any other fielder's involvement and only off a legal delivery that is not a no-ball.
- Stumping is a special form of run-out and is credited to both the bowler and the wicketkeeper
3. Stumps as a Signal for End of Play
- The term "stumps" is also used to signify the end of a day's play in Test cricket or other longer formats.
- Historically, umpires used to physically remove the stumps from the ground to mark the end of the day. Nowadays, they simply remove the bails from the stumps to signal the cessation of play until the next session
Summary Table
Meaning of "Stumps"| Description
---|---
Equipment| Three vertical wooden posts (off, middle, leg stump) forming the
wicket, 28 inches tall, 9 inches apart
Mode of Dismissal| Batsman dismissed if wicketkeeper removes bails while
batsman is out of the crease after missing the ball
End of Day's Play Signal| Umpires call "stumps" to indicate the end of play,
traditionally by removing bails or stumps
Thus, "stumps" in cricket refers to essential wicket equipment, a specific method of dismissal, and a traditional term to mark the close of play
