streaky

comparative streakier · superlative streakiest

1. Having streaks.
2. ball gamesUsed to describe a shot where the ball deflects off the edge of the bat, but is not caught by the slips or wicket-keeper and instead results in runs for the batsman.

   Compton troubled Bradman with his Chinaman, and one streaky shot was edged past Crapp at slips.

   2011, Roland Perry, Bradman's Invincibles: The Inside Story of the Epic 1948 Ashes Tour

   2 more examples

   Although the two added thirteen important runs, including four byes let through by Mongia and a streaky outside edge cum late-cut by Pollock for four, one didn't need to be blessed with gifts of insight to realise that Pollock's days at the crease were numbered.

   2001, Luke Alfred, Lifting the Covers: Inside South African Cricket

   ...rather than hitting it with the middle of the bat, I jagged it off the inside edge and French-cut it over the top of the stumps for another four. That was the only streaky shot I can remember.

   2005, Michael Slater, Slats: The Michael Slater Story

3. Unpredictable, variable; having periods of good and bad (e.g. weather).

   […] to do his duty in the face of uncommonly streaky weather like a man.

   1870, Baily's Magazine of Sports and Pastimes, volume 17, page 34

   2 more examples

   [Nebraska] has a reputation for streaky weather, long stretches of drouth and long seasons of rain.

   1901, National Stockman and Farmer, volume 25, page 16

   It was one of those streaky days you often find at the end of a Kerry winter, with little spurts of cold rain and puffs of chilling wind and now and then glimpses of weak sunshine.

   , George Bartram, The White-headed Boy, page 204

4. CanadaUSusuallyHaving alternating periods of good and bad performances; inconsistent.

   Jones has always been a streaky hitter

5. archaicslangHaving periods of irritation or bad temper.
6. ball gamesNot well-executed, due to luck more than skill.

   Two goals from Alexis Sánchez, the second a little streakier than the first, were enough to send Arsenal into a second successive FA Cup final, once again following extra time after being held over 90 minutes by a Championship side.

   2015 April 18, Paul Wilson, The Guardian