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The grounds vary in size. Most grounds on which official matches are played measure about 137 metres wide and 150 metres long. The wickets are 22 yards (20.12 metres) apart in the centre of the field. They stand opposite and parallel to each other. The area between the wickets is called the pitch.

Each wicket measures 9 inches (22.9) centimetres wide. The stumps of each wicket are close enough together so the ball cannot pass between any two of them. The tops of the stumps stand 28 inches (71.1 centimetres) above the ground. The bails are 43/8 inches (11.1 centimetres long) and rest in grooves on the tops of the stumps. The bails do not rise more than 1/2 inch (13 millimetres) above the stumps.

White lines made by chalk or lime mark certain boundaries called creases. A line called the bowling crease is drawn through the stumps of each wicket. It is 8 feet 8 inches (2.64 metres) long, with the middle stump of the wicket at its centre. A line called the popping crease is marked 4 feet (1.22) metres in front of the bowling crease. The popping crease extends at least 6 feet (1.83 metres) on either side of the centre of the wicket but is considered to be unlimited in length. Lines called return creases are marked from each end of the bowling crease. The return creases extend forward to the popping crease and back at least 4 feet (1.22 metres) behind the bowling crease. However, the return creases are considered to be unlimited in length. The bowler must deliver the ball with some part of the front foot behind the popping crease. The back foot must be between the return creases

TYPES OF PITCHES:

In general there are 6 different types of cricket-pitches:-

1. THE GOOD WICKET : This is good for scoring runs as neither the spin nor seam bowlers are able to make the ball bounce surprisingly.

2. THE FAIR WICKET: Allows both spin and seam bowlers to achieve a degree of movement, but at even pace and height

3. THE SPORTING WICKET: Generally results from a period of drought with dry, hard soil under the grass. Fast bowling can be lethal on this wicket.

4. THE GREEN WICKET: Is generally created by a moist atmosphere, and is usually well-grassed. This wicket allows medium to fast seam bowling, sometimes in contradiction to the swing.

5. THE CRUMBLING WICKET: Also results from dry weather and lack of grass to bind it. Spinners and medium-paced cutters do well under such circumstances.

6. THE ROUGH WICKET: Does not give batsman a fair chance as the ball does not bounce truly.