E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Innings,
in cricket, is the turn of the team to be bowled to by their opponents. The persons who “bat” are having their “innings given them”; and the innings of an individual is the time he holds the bat.
1
A good innings. One in which the batsman has made several runs. Figuratively, a run of luck or business.
2
He has had a long innings. A good long run of luck. A term in cricket for the time that the eleven are in, or not out as scouts.
