| 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 n. Informal A difficult or embarrassing problem or situation. |