streaky

streak +‎ -y

• Rhymes: -iːki

streaky (comparative streakier, superlative streakiest)

1. Having streaks.
2. (cricket) Used 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.
   • 2001, Luke Alfred, Lifting the Covers: Inside South African Cricket:

     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.

   • 2005, Michael Slater, Slats: The Michael Slater Story:

     ...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.

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

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

3. (chiefly of a person, usually Canada, US) Having alternating periods of good and bad performances; inconsistent.

   Jones has always been a streaky hitter

4. (soccer) Not well-executed, due to luck more than skill.
   • 2015, Paul Wilson, Alexis Sánchez sends Arsenal into final after gallant Reading go the distance (in The Guardian, 18 April 2015)

     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.

• streaky bacon

• Starkey, keytars