COPYRIGHT OWNED BY MARYLBONE CRICKET CLUB
LAW 7 THE PITCH
1. Area of pitch
The pitch is a rectangular area of the ground 22 yards/20.12m in length and 10 ft/3.05m 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 5ft/1.52m from it. See Laws 8.1 (Width and pitching) and 9.2 (The bowling crease).
2. Fitness of pitch for play
The umpires shall be the sole judges of the fitness of the pitch for play. See Laws 3.8 (Fitness for play) and 3.9 (Suspension of play in dangerous or unreasonable conditions)
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.
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.
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/17.68m
Width – a minimum of 6 ft/1.83m
See Law 10.8 (Non-turf pitches)
[Meaning for some important terms in TAMIL:consent-சம்மதம்,turf-புல் தரை]
