*THE BALL
*1. *
*Weight and size
*The new ball shall weigh not less than 5½ ounces/155.9g, nor more than 5¾ ounces/163g, and shall measure not less than 813/16 in/22.4cm, nor more than 9 in/22.9cm in circumference.
THE BAT*
*1. ****Width and length*
The bat overall shall not be more than 38 inches/96.5cm in length. The blade of the bat shall be made solely of wood and shall not exceed 4¼ inches/10.8cm at the widest part.
*2. ****Covering the blade*
The blade may be covered with material for protection, strengthening or repair. Such material shall not exceed 1/16 inches/1.56mm in thickness, and shall not be likely to cause unacceptable damage to the ball.
THE PITCH
***1. ****Area of pitch*
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.
THE WICKETS*
*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.
*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
*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.
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
THE BOWLING, POPPING AND RETURN CREASES*
*1. ****The bowling crease*
The bowling crease, which is the back edge of the crease marking, shall be the line through the centres of the three stumps at that end. It shall be 8ft 8 in/2.64m in length, with the stumps in the centre.
*2. ****The popping crease*
The popping crease, which is the back edge of the crease marking, shall be in front of and parallel to the bowling crease and shall be 4ft/1.22m from it. The popping crease shall be marked to a minimum of 6ft/1.83m on either side of the imaginary line joining the centres of the middle stumps and shall be considered to be unlimited in length.
*3. ****The return creases*
The return creases, which are the inside edges of the crease markings, shall be at right angles to the popping crease at a distance of 4ft 4 in/1.32m either side of the imaginary line joining the centres of the two middle stumps. Each return crease shall be marked from the popping crease to a minimum of 8ft/2.44m behind it and shall be considered to be unlimited in length.