Cricket terminology

[08012006]

Has the phrase "close of play" been replaced with "stumps", since this is what I seem to be hearing bright-young-things on the radio saying.

[New Judge]

That may be true, steve.

However, as a cricket spectator of many years I must say that “Close of Play” is the term that most fans use for the end of a day’s play in a match played over more than one day. “Stumps” is the term used in Australia and I too have noticed that it is becoming increasingly popular on TV and radio here. It sounds more trendy and is probably used in an attempt to appeal to a younger audience. Hopefully it will consigned to the same dustbin as the eight ball over before that other infuriating Australian habit of referring to the score as “six for two hundred and five” gets a hold.

[fredpuli47]

Yes,NJ, 'drinks', 'at lunch', 'at tea' and 'at close of play' are the expressions long used here for the breaks in play. Do the Aussies have different expressions for the other breaks? 'Tinnies' for lunch, perhaps ?

[New Judge]

Those poor Aussies - they never did forgive Harold Larwood!