Cricket Pitch Dimensions & Crease Marking Guide
Under the official MCC Laws of Cricket (Law 6 & Law 7) and ICC Playing Conditions, a regulation pitch measures 22 yards (66 feet / 20.12 meters) from stump to stump, with a total pitch corridor width of 10 feet (3.05 meters).
MCC Regulatory Pitch Specifications
Step-by-Step Cricket Pitch Striping Guide (With Diagrams)
Step 1 — Pitch Orientation & 30-Yard Fielding Circle
Under MCC Law 6, orient the pitch North-South so the setting sun does not align with the batsman's eye line. Scribe a 27.4m (30 yard) radius semicircle from each middle stump.
Step 2 — The 22-Yard Spine Setup (Stump to Stump = 66′ 0″)
Drive Batting Middle Stump pin. Pull steel tape along centerline exactly 22 yards (66′ 0″ / 20.12m) and drive Bowling Middle Stump pin. Snap a straight chalk centerline connecting both wickets.
Step 3 — Mark Bowling Creases (8′ 8″ Centered on Stumps)
Under MCC Law 7.1, the bowling crease is 8 feet 8 inches (2.64m) long passing through the middle stump (extending 4′ 4″ on each side).
Step 4 — The 66′ 9″ Diagonal Pitch Square-off Check
A regulation pitch corridor is 10ft (3.05m) wide by 66ft (20.12m) long. The diagonal check between opposite corridor outer pins must equal 66 feet 9 inches (20.35m) to guarantee an exact 90° rectangle.
Step 5 — Mark Popping Creases (4′ 0″ in Front of Wickets)
Under MCC Law 7.2, the popping crease is parallel to and 4 feet 0 inches (1.22m) in front of the bowling crease (minimum 12ft total length; 6ft on either side of middle stump).
Step 6 — Return Creases & Limited Overs Wide Guidelines
Under MCC Law 7.4, draw return creases at right angles to the popping crease at 4 feet 4 inches from middle stump (extending 4ft behind bowling crease). For one-day matches, paint wide lines 17 inches (43.2cm) inside each return crease.
REGULATION CRICKET PITCH (22 YARDS) — FIELD CREW JOB SHEET
Standard: MCC Laws 6 & 7 | Envelope: 30-Yard Fielding Circle | Date: __________________
| Survey Parameter | Exact Setting Measurement | Physical Field Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Stump to Stump Distance | 22 Yards (66′ 0″ / 20.12m) | Drive steel pins for middle stumps at both ends. |
| Pitch Corridor Width | 10′ 0″ (3.05m) | Corridor boundary pins set 5′ 0″ (1.525m) on each side of stumps. |
| Corridor Diagonal Check | 66′ 9″ (20.35m) | Corner-to-corner diagonal across 10ft corridor. |
| Bowling Crease | 8′ 8″ (2.64m) | Centered on middle stump (4′ 4″ each side). |
| Popping Crease | 4′ 0″ (1.22m) in front | Minimum 12′ total length perpendicular to pitch axis. |
Field Toolkit Checklist
☐ 1× 100ft / 30m Steel Tape ☐ Stump Measuring Gauge ☐ 30-Yard Trammel Wire ☐ White Marking Compound
Official MCC Crease Dimensions & Tolerances
The table below details statutory dimensions pursuant to MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 3rd Edition — 2022):
| Crease Line | Official Dimension | Location & Offset | Governing Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Crease | 8′ 8″ (2.64 m) | Drawn through stumps (4′ 4″ each side) | MCC Law 7.1 |
| Popping Crease | 12′ 0″ Min (3.66 m) | Parallel, 4′ 0″ (1.22 m) in front of bowling crease | MCC Law 7.2 |
| Return Creases (4) | 8′ 0″ Min (2.44 m) | At right angles, 4′ 4″ from middle stump (extending 4′ behind) | MCC Law 7.4 |
| Limited Overs Wide Lines | Runs to popping crease | 17″ (43.2 cm) inside each return crease (35″ from middle stump) | ICC ODI & T20 Playing Conditions |
| Pitch Corridor Outer Box | 66′ 0″ × 10′ 0″ | Corner-to-corner diagonal check = 66′ 9″ (20.35m) | MCC Law 6.1 |
The Protected Danger Area Markings (MCC Law 41.11)
To prevent bowlers from intentionally scuffing the pitch on their follow-through:
- Protected Area Boundaries: Begins 5 feet (1.52m) in front of each popping crease and extends along the pitch centerline, bounded by two parallel imaginary lines 1 foot (30.5cm) on either side of the middle stump (2ft wide central strip).
- Warning Markings: White tick marks are painted on the popping crease at 1 foot (30.5cm) on each side of the middle stump, and 5 feet (1.52m) down the return crease to visually outline the protected zone for umpires.
Limited-Overs Wide Guidelines & Turf Sub-Base
- White Wide Lines (T20 & ODI): In limited-overs matches, wide guidelines are marked parallel to the return creases. They are painted 17 inches (43.2cm) inside each return crease, which corresponds to exactly 35 inches (88.9cm) from the center stump.
- Pitch Sub-Base Preparation: Natural clay pitches require a high clay content (50% to 60% smectite/illite clay) laid to a depth of 100mm–150mm over a gravel drainage course, compacted with heavy 1.5-ton rollers to achieve bulk density above 1.80 g/cm³.
- Fielding Circle (Powerplay 30-Yard Ring): Scribed as two semicircles of 30 yards (27.43m) radius centered on the middle stump at each wicket, connected by parallel lines running down the pitch.
Other Sports Ground Layout Guides:
Check our Soccer Pitch (125.10m Diag), view the Tennis Court Guide, or explore the Master Court Directory.