Describes a pitch, which although dry on the surface, has underlying soft patches. This type of wicket is generally a difficult playing surface for batsman as it can cause a ball to behave unpredictably. Most pitch preparation practices have all but done away with these type of pitches, which were once very common in England and Australia.

Field conditions created by close cropped, recently wet grass are called a sticky wicket. This field condition adds a deadly spin to the bowled ball.

Having a difficult approach to the wicket, or being stuck in the wicket.

pitch containing a lot of moisture, usually from exposure to rain, more commonly encountered historically before pitches were covered in bad weather, and on which the ball bounces unpredictably, making it very difficult to bat. any pitch which behaves unpredictably. (outside of cricket) any unfair, unpredictable, and sometimes potentially dangerous circumstance.

awkward or difficult situation

"Sticky Wicket" was episode twenty-one of the first season of the TV series M*A*S*H. It originally aired on March 4, 1973.