LAW 8           THE WICKETS

 

1. Width and pitching

2. Size of stumps

3. The bails

4. Junior cricket

5. Dispensing with bails

 

 

1. Width and pitching

Two sets of wickets shall be pitched opposite and parallel to each other at a

distance of 22 yards/20.12m between the centres of the two middle stumps. Each

set shall be 9 in/22.86cm 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 inches/71.1cm 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 13/8 in/3.49cm nor more than 1½ in/3.81cm See

Appendix A.

 

 

 

3. The bails

(a) The bails, when in position on the top of the stumps,

                (i) shall not project more than ½ in/1.27cm 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/10.95cm

        Length of barrel     : - 21/8 in/5.40cm

        Longer spigot        : - 13/8 in/3.49cm

        Shorter spigot       : - 13/16 in/2.06cm

 

 

 

4. Junior cricket

In junior cricket, the same definitions of the wickets shall apply subject to

following measurements being used.

    Width                                        : - 8 in/20.32cm

    Pitched for under 13                  : - 21 yards/19.20m

    Pitched for under 11                  : - 20 yards/18.29m

    Pitched for under 9                    : - 18 yards/16.46m

    Height above playing surface      : - 27 in/68.58cm

Each stump

    Diameter                                   : - not less than 11/4 in/3.18cm

                                                         nor more than 13/8 in/3.49cm

Each bail

    Overall                                      : - 313/16 in/9.68cm

    Barrel                                        : - 113/16 in/4.60cm

    Longer Spigot                            : - 11/4 in/3.18cm

    Shorter Spigot                            : - 3/4 in/1.91cm

 

 

 

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).