the two small pieces of wood on top of the stumps in a game of cricket, that can be knocked off with the ball to make the player who is batting (= hitting the ball) out

The bowler dislodged the bails with his second ball.

The ball appeared to touch one of the stumps but the bails stayed on.

He heard the bails fall to the ground behind him and saw the bowler celebrating.

The umpire removed the bails and walked towards the pavilion.

A video replay showed that the ball just went over the bails.

See also: bail noun (CRICKET)