not cricket

Related to not cricket: To run into the ground

it's not cricket

It isn't fair, sportsmanlike, or legitimate. I know you want to avoid confrontation, but it's not cricket to break up with someone by text message. I don't see why you think it's not cricket—everyone else does it all the time.
See also: cricket, not
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

not cricket

Unfair, unsportsmanlike, as in It's not cricket to let him go without notice. This term, in which the sport of cricket is equated with upright behavior, survives in America despite the relative unfamiliarity of the sport there. [Mid-1800s]
See also: cricket, not
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

not cricket

contrary to traditional standards of fairness or rectitude. British informal
The game of cricket, with its traditional regard for courtesy and fair play, has been a metaphor for these qualities since at least the mid 19th century.
See also: cricket, not
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

not cricket

mod. unfair; illegitimate; unorthodox. (See affirmative examples at cricket.) What do you mean it’s not cricket? You do it.
See also: cricket, not
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • it's just not cricket
  • it's not cricket
  • kosher
  • not cricket, it's/that's
  • it's not kosher
  • May the best man/woman win.
  • lance
  • break a lance
  • converge (up)on (someone or something)
  • converge on
References in periodicals archive
This is not cricket, Mr Khan.Like most other persons in government, it is obvious that your exalted position is all that is worth hanging on to, and that you tootend to the extreme right.
Aye, well, let me say of this misguided campaign: "It's just not cricket".
The judge told the court: "'It's not cricket' was an adage.
Nicknames just not cricket Live cricket Sky Sports 2, 4.40pm TODAY'S televised CB40 match sees Essex take on Glamorgan or, for more medieval-minded viewers, the Eagles versus the Dragons, writes James Milton.
Just not cricket? Far from it, and secretary Stephen Devenport predicts a "good family occasion" to which allcomers are welcome.
AS for me, well I'm not that far away from the England training camp in Abu Dhabi, but it's not cricket that's brought me to the Gulf but golf.
Re: It's just not cricket about the cheerleaders bought in for the IPL - lighten UP!!!
"'It's not cricket' is a well worn phrase but I do think it means something, even if not as many batsmen 'walk' as they used to," he added.
Interviewed by a BBC correspondent, who reported that most sports had been repressed by the Taliban, but not cricket, the Afghan captain explained that his players had crossed the border into Pakistan leaving their families behind.
NOT CRICKET: Police try to control Pakistani fans during the one-day series; THROWN: Bevan dazed after being hit by a can
"It is just not cricket, I hope ICC will take action for politicising gentleman's game, if Indian team is not stopped, Pakistan cricket team should wear black bands to remind the world about Indian atrocities in Kashmir.
"It's just not cricket," Chaudhry tweeted late on Friday.
"The spirit of cricket is precious to our sport and so intrinsically linked with good behaviour - the turn of phrase, 'That's just not cricket' is not an accident.
"In 1975/76, when the West Indies players went to Australia and Lillee and Thomson and the Australian crowd went so hard at them, their first thought was, 'This is not cricket! This is not how it's supposed to be!' But they responded not by going back at them verbally, but by building up a fast bowling quartet that could silence Australia's batting", Sanga has said.
He also said if the business between India and Pakistan can continue, then why not cricket?