sticky wicket

noun

1. Cricket. the area of ground around a wicket when it is tacky because of recent rain and therefore does not allow the ball to bounce well.
2. Chiefly British. a situation requiring delicate treatment; an awkward situation:

   In telling his wife that he has to be away for a month in Cannes, he'll be batting on a sticky wicket.

sticky wicket

noun

1. a cricket pitch that is rapidly being dried by the sun after rain and is particularly conducive to spin
2. informal.
   a difficult or awkward situation (esp in the phrase on a sticky wicket )

Word History and Origins

Origin of sticky wicket¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

The still astounding power of the best bowlers is shown by the havoc they make when they get a sticky wicket to bowl on.

From Project Gutenberg