How long is a cricket pitch, and what do the lines mean?
Officials' detail · What are the pitch, the ball and the bat? · 1 of 5The pitch is 22 yards (20.12 m) long and 10 feet (3.05 m) wide, with a set of stumps at each end. Each end has three lines: the bowling crease, through the stumps; the popping crease, 4 feet (1.22 m) in front, which the batter must be behind to be "in"; and two return creases at the sides, which bound the bowler's back foot.
How it works
- Each line's edge that counts is the back edge of the white marking for the bowling and popping creases, and the inside edge for the return creases.
- The popping crease is treated as unlimited in length, and so are the return creases backwards.
- The bowling crease is 8 feet 8 inches (2.64 m) long.
- The return creases are 4 feet 4 inches (1.32 m) either side of the middle stump.
- The umpires alone decide whether the pitch is fit for play. It can be changed during a match only if it is dangerous or unreasonable, and both captains agree.
- In a match of more than one innings, the batting captain may have the pitch rolled for up to 7 minutes before each innings after the first and before each day's play, choosing the roller.
Tricky cases
Is a batter on the line "in"?
No. They must have some part of the bat or body grounded behind the line.
Why is it called the popping crease?
The Laws do not say; it is the line the batter must be behind. This page does not cover history.
Can the batting side choose the heavy roller?
Yes. If there is more than one roller, the batting captain chooses which is used.
How long is the pitch in junior cricket?
Each country's governing body sets it.
Why the rule exists
Fixed measurements make every pitch the same contest. The lines are where most decisions are taken: in or out, fair ball or no-ball.
Where it differs
Pitch and crease measurements are the same in the Laws and all ICC men's formats. Junior pitch length is set by each country (L6.6). Rolling rules apply to matches of more than one innings, as in Tests (PC-T 9.1).
From the rule book
MCC Laws of Cricket, Laws 6.1 to 6.6, 7.1 to 7.4 and 9.1, 4th Edition, in force from 1 October 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: MCC Laws of Cricket (PDF).