What do the Laws say about covering the pitch?

Q: What do the Laws say about covering the pitch?

Under Law 10 of the 2026 edition of the MCC Laws: Before the match: covering is the Ground Authority's responsibility and can include full covering. The Ground Authority must still let the captains inspect the pitch before they nominate their players, and let the umpires carry out their checks of the pitch, creases, wickets and preparation. During the match, unless something else was agreed before the toss, on each night of the match and, if appropriate, whenever play is suspended: the whole pitch plus at least 4 ft (1.22 m) beyond it at each end must be covered, and the bowlers' run-ups must be covered where possible. Removing covers: Overnight covers come off as soon as practicable on each day play is expected. Covers used during the day, or overnight covers that couldn't be removed on time, come off promptly as soon as conditions allow. The umpires agree the use of covers with the captains before the toss. This Law is the default: a competition's own playing conditions can set different covering arrangements, and where they do, those apply.

Question

Accepted Answer

Under Law 10 of the 2026 edition of the MCC Laws:

Before the match: covering is the Ground Authority's responsibility and can include full covering. The Ground Authority must still let the captains inspect the pitch before they nominate their players, and let the umpires carry out their checks of the pitch, creases, wickets and preparation.

During the match, unless something else was agreed before the toss, on each night of the match and, if appropriate, whenever play is suspended:

the whole pitch plus at least 4 ft (1.22 m) beyond it at each end must be covered, and
the bowlers' run-ups must be covered where possible.

Removing covers:

Overnight covers come off as soon as practicable on each day play is expected.
Covers used during the day, or overnight covers that couldn't be removed on time, come off promptly as soon as conditions allow.

The umpires agree the use of covers with the captains before the toss. This Law is the default: a competition's own playing conditions can set different covering arrangements, and where they do, those apply.