Law 8: The Pitch

1. Area of Pitch

The pitch is the area between the bowling creases . It shall measure 5 ft./1.52m. in width on either side of a line joining the centre of the middle stumps of the wickets.

See Pitching Diagram

2. Selection and Preparation

Before the toss for innings, the Executive of the Ground shall be responsible for the selection and preparation of the pitch; thereafter the Umpires shall control its use and maintenance.

3. Changing the Pitch

The pitch shall not be changed during a match unless it becomes unfit for play, and then only with the consent of both Captains.

4. Non-Turf Pitches

In the event of a non-turf pitch being used, the following shall apply:

(a) LENGTH: That of the playing surface to a minimum of 58ft. (17.68 m.)
(b) WIDTH: That of the playing surface to a minimum of 6ft. (1.83 m.)

In the center of the field, and usually aligned along the long axis of the ellipse, is the _pitch_, a carefully prepared rectangle of closely mown and rolled grass over hard packed earth. It is marked with white lines, called _creases_, like this: 

 ______|                                  |______   <--- return crease
   |   |                                  |   |            |
   |   |                                  |   |            |
   W   |                                  |   W  <- wicket |
   |   |                                  |   |            |
 __|___|                                  |___|__   <------
       |                                  |
   ^                                          ^
   |   ^--------popping crease------------^   |
   \------------bowling crease----------------/
The popping creases are 17.68 metres (58 feet) apart, the bowling creases are 1.22 metres (48 inches) from the popping creases. The return creases are 2.64 metres (104 inches) apart. The popping creases extend at least 0.51 metres (20 inches) beyond the return creases, and the return creases extend at least 1.22 metres (48 inches) beyond the bowling creases. The W in the centre of the bowling crease represents the position of the wickets (one at each end). The three stumps are in line along the bowling crease.
 
 



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