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) Bowling deliveries were also named after their approach towards or away from particular stumps, as with the "leg spinner".