In cricket, “stumps” usually means the three vertical wooden posts that make up part of the wicket. It can also mean the end of play for the day or the term for being stumped out.

Simple meaning

  • Physical stumps: the three posts behind the batter that the bails sit on.
  • At stumps: the score or situation when play ends for the day.
  • Stumped: a dismissal where the wicket-keeper removes the bails while the batter is out of their ground.

Example

  • “At stumps, India were 250 for 4” means the day’s play had finished and India’s score was 250/4.
  • “He was stumped” means the batter got out by the wicket-keeper’s quick work.

If you want, I can also explain the difference between stumps, bails, and wicket in one quick diagram-style breakdown.