In this edition of “How’s That” we will be looking at the wicket. When looking at the wicket the umpires should always check that :
- The wickets are aligned end to end and parallel to each other.
- The stumps are of the correct shape and are correctly placed , with the back edge of the marking through the centre of the stumps.
- The bails fit into the grooves and do not force the top of the stumps apart.
- The stumps are secured firmly in the ground and are equally spaced, upright and parallel to each other.
Description, width and pitching
Two sets of wickets shall be pitched opposite and parallel to each other in the centres of the bowling creases. Each set shall be 9 in/22.86 cm wide and shall consist of three wooden stumps with two wooden bails on top.
Size of stumps
The tops of the stumps shall be 28 in/71.12 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 1.38 in/3.50 cm nor more than 1.5 in/3.81 cm.
The bails
The bails, when in position on top of the stumps,
– shall not project more than 0.5 in/1.27 cm above them.
– shall fit between the stumps without forcing them out of the vertical.
Each bail shall conform to the following specifications
Overall length – 4.31 in/10.95 cm
Length of barrel – 2.13 in /5.40 cm
Longer spigot – 1.38 in/3.50 cm
Shorter spigot – 0.81 in/2.06 cm.
The two spigots and the barrel shall have the same centre line.
Devices aimed at protecting player safety by limiting the distance that a bail can travel off the stumps will be allowed, subject to the approval of the Governing Body for the match and the ground authority.
Junior cricket
The Governing Body for Cricket in the country concerned shall determine the dimensions of the stumps and bails and the distance between the wickets.
Dispensing with bails
If the bails are continuously being blown off during play, not only is this irritating, unfairly breaking concentration for both batsmen and fielders, but it slows play. Umpires may decide to use heavier bails, however if heavier bails do not solve the problem, the umpires can dispense with the bails altogether. 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.
Source: Tom Smith’s Cricket Umpiring and Scoring (Law 8)
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Permit me a question, please. In the instance of an agreement to use no bails, would this not affect dismissals that are normally given should a BAIL be deemed as having been dislodged? Case in point, for very tight runout or stumping calls that usually come down to WHEN the BAILS are dislodged.
Law 29.4 can provide more clarity for you. It states :
If the umpires have agreed to dispense with bails in accordance with Law 8.5 (Dispensing with bails), it is for the umpire concerned to decide whether or not the wicket has been put down.
After a decision to play without bails, the wicket has been put down if the umpire concerned is satisfied that the wicket has been struck by the ball, by the striker’s bat, person or items of his/her clothing or equipment.