A "wicket" in cricket refers to the set of three vertical stumps topped by two horizontal bails. It is a crucial part of the game, as the primary objective for the bowler is to hit the wicket with the ball to dismiss the batsman. The wicket also serves as a target for the bowler and is located at each end of the pitch. In addition to its physical structure, the term "wicket" can also refer to the act of getting a batsman out. When a batsman is dismissed, it is said that the bowler has taken a wicket. This is an important statistic in cricket, as it reflects a bowler's effectiveness in the game.