The pitch

6.1 Area of pitch

The pitch is a rectangular area of the ground 22 yards/20.12 m in length and 10 ft/3.05 m in width.  It is bounded at either end by the bowling creases and on either side by imaginary lines, one each side of the imaginary line joining the centres of the two middle stumps, each parallel to it and 5 ft/1.52 m from it.  If the pitch is next to an artificial pitch which is closer than 5 ft/1.52 m from the middle stumps, the pitch on that side will extend only to the junction of the two surfaces.  See Laws 8.1 (Description, width and pitching), 8.4 (Junior cricket) and 7.2 (The bowling crease).

6.2 Fitness of pitch for play

The umpires shall be the sole judges of the fitness of the pitch for play.  See Laws 2.7 (Fitness for play) and 2.8 (Suspension of play in dangerous or unreasonable conditions).

6.3 Selection and preparation

Before the match, the Ground Authority shall be responsible for the selection and preparation of the pitch.  During the match, the umpires shall control its use and maintenance.

6.4 Changing the pitch

The pitch shall not be changed during the match unless the umpires decide that it is dangerous or unreasonable for play to continue on it and then only with the consent of both captains.

6.5 Non-turf pitches

In the event of a non-turf pitch being used, the artificial surface shall conform to the following measurements:

Length – a minimum of 58 ft/17.68 m

Width – a minimum of 6 ft/1.83 m

See Law 9.8 (Non-turf pitches).

6.6 Junior Cricket

The Governing Body for cricket in the country concerned

shall determine the length of the pitch for junior cricket.

© Marylebone Cricket Club 2017