Cricket Rules – Law 8 – The Wickets
1. Width and pitching
Two sets of wickets shall be pitched opposite and parallel to each other at a distance of22 yards/20.12 m between the centres of the two middle stumps. Each set shall be 9 in/22.86 cm wide and shall consist of three wooden stumps with two wooden bails on top. See Appendix A.
2. Size of stumps
The tops of the stumps shall be 28 in/71.1 cm above the playing surface and shall be dome shaped except for the bail grooves. The portion of a stump above the playing surface shall be cylindrical apart from the domed top, with circular section of diameter not less than 1⅜ in/3.49 cm nor more than 1½ in/3.81 cm. See Appendix A.
3. The bails
(a) The bails, when in position on top of the stumps,(i) shall not project more than ½ in/1.27 cm above them.(ii) shall fit between the stumps without forcing them out of the vertical.(b) Each bail shall conform to the following specifications. See Appendix A.Overall length 45/16 in/10.95 cmLength of barrel 21/8 in /5.40 cmLonger spigot 1⅜ in/3.49 cmShorter spigot 13/16 in/2.06 cm
4. Junior cricket
In junior cricket, the same definitions of the wickets shall apply subject to the following measurements being used.Width 8 in/20.32 cmPitched for under 13 21 yards/19.20 mPitched for under 11 20 yards/18.29 mPitched for under 9 18 yards/16.46 mHeight above playing surface 27 in/68.58 cmEach stumpDiameter not less than 1¼ in/3.18 cmnor more than 1⅜ in/3.49 cmEach bailOverall 313/16 in/9.68 cmBarrel 113/16 in/4.60 cmLonger spigot 1¼ in/3.18 cmShorter spigot ¾ in/1.91 cm
5. Dispensing with bails
The umpires may agree to dispense with the use of bails, if necessary. If they so agree then no bails shall be used at either end. The use of bails shall be resumed as soon as conditions permit. See Law 28.4 (Dispensing with bails).
© Marylebone Cricket Club 2010
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