What are the measurements for the pitch, creases and wickets?
Rule- South Africa
- Cricket South Africa
- MCC Laws of Cricket
- ICC pitch monitoring
- Pitches
- All ages
- 2026/27
- Groundsmen
From Laws 6 to 8 (2026 edition):
Pitch: 22 yards (20.12 m) long, between the bowling creases, and 10 ft (3.05 m) wide: 5 ft (1.52 m) either side of the line joining the middle stumps. Next to an artificial pitch closer than 5 ft to the middle stumps, the pitch ends at the join.
Non-turf (artificial) pitch: at least 58 ft (17.68 m) long and 6 ft (1.83 m) wide.
Creases (white lines):
| Crease | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Bowling crease | 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) long, through the stumps; back edge of the marking |
| Popping crease | 4 ft (1.22 m) in front of the bowling crease; marked at least 6 ft (1.83 m) either side of the middle-stump line; back edge of the marking |
| Return creases | 4 ft 4 in (1.32 m) either side of the middle-stump line, at right angles to the popping crease; marked at least 8 ft (2.44 m) behind it; inside edge of the marking |
Wickets: 9 in (22.86 cm) wide, three wooden stumps and two wooden bails, centred on the bowling crease. Tops of the stumps 28 in (71.12 cm) above the surface, stump diameter 1.38-1.5 in (3.50-3.81 cm). Bails may not stick up more than 0.5 in (1.27 cm) above the stumps; each bail is 4.31 in (10.95 cm) long.
Junior cricket: pitch length and stump and bail sizes are set by the national governing body, Cricket South Africa.
Added 22 Oct 2026