Stump (cricket)

A stump in the sport of cricket was one third of a wicket. In other words, it was one of the three equidistant wooden stakes placed behind the batsman. The central object of the bowler was to try to hit one of the stumps, so as to dislodge the bails, which laid atop the stumps. If this were done, the batsman would be dismissed and the bowler could claim a successful defence. (TV: Black Orchid; PROSE: Happy Endings)

Each stump had a name — off, middle, and leg. The batsman's defence, or guard was based on which of the individual stumps he or she was guarding. Batsmen, such as the Fifth Doctor, would routinely call out the nature of their stance prior to batting — be it middle and leg, middle stump or something else — so that an umpire could verify his position as being legal. (COMIC: The Tides of Time; TV: Black Orchid)

Fielding positions were named relative to the particular stump to which the player was closest. The silly mid-off position, for instance, was a position on the side of the field closest to the off stump, whereas the leg side was on the side of the field closest to the leg stump. (PROSE: Happy Endings)