Pitch And Wickets

Pitch, wickets and creases

Main articles: Cricket pitch, Wicket and Crease (cricket)

See also: Stump (cricket) and Bail (cricket)

Playing surface

A typical cricket field.

Cricket is played on a grassy field.^[29] The Laws of Cricket do not specify the size or shape of the field,^[30] but it is often oval. In the centre of the field is a rectangular strip, known as the pitch.^[29]

The pitch is a flat surface 10 feet (3.0 m) wide, with very short grass that tends to be worn away as the game progresses.^[31] At either end of the pitch, 22 yards (20 m) apart, are placed wooden targets, known as the wickets. These serve as a target for the bowling (also known as the fielding) side and are defended by the batting side, which seeks to accumulate runs.