The pitch is a rectangular area of the ground 22 yards/20.12m in length and

10ft/3.05m in width. It is bounded at either end by the bowling creases and on

either side by imaginary lines, one each side of the imaginary line joining the

centres of the two middle stumps, each parallel to it and 5ft/1.52m from it. See

Laws 8.1 (Width and pitching) and 9.2 (The bowling crease).

The umpires shall be the final judges of the fitness of the pitch for play. See Laws

3.8 (Fitness of ground, weather and light) and 3.9 (Suspension of play for adverse

conditions of ground, weather or light).

Before the match, the Ground Authority shall be responsible for the selection and

preparation of the pitch. During the match, the umpires shall control its use and

maintenance.

The pitch shall not be changed during the match unless the umpires decide that it

is unreasonable or dangerous for play to continue on it and then only with the

consent of both captains.

In the event of a non-turf pitch being used, the artificial surface shall conform to

the following measurements:

Length - a minimum of 58ft/17.68m

Width - a minimum of 6ft/1.83m

See Law 10.8 (Non-turf pitches).