The word cricket has two completely different meanings:

1. A small jumping insect known for the chirping sound males make by rubbing their wings together. Crickets are usually brown or black, about an inch long, and have powerful back legs for hopping. They're most active at night, which is why you often hear their rhythmic chirping through open windows on summer evenings. In many cultures, people consider crickets good luck. Some types of crickets, like mole crickets, burrow underground, while others live in fields or forests. Crickets are also popular as pets and as food for reptiles and amphibians.
2. A bat-and-ball sport hugely popular in countries like England, India, Australia, and Pakistan. In cricket, bowlers throw a hard leather ball toward batters, who defend wooden posts called wickets while trying to score runs. Cricket matches can last anywhere from a few hours to five full days for Test matches, the longest format of the game. The sport requires both individual skill and team strategy. While cricket isn't widely played in the United States, it's one of the world's most-watched sports, with billions of fans worldwide. The phrase “it's not cricket” means something isn't fair or proper, reflecting the sport's traditional emphasis on sportsmanship.