Until the toss, decisions about mowing, sweeping watering, and covering the pitch are entirely the responsibility of the ground authority. This does not mean that either umpire has no interest until the toss. Not only do they have a responsibility to check the creases and wickets but they are the sole judges of the fitness of the pitch for play. It is not necessary for the toss to have taken place for them to decide that it would be unreasonable or dangerous for play to take place and so to forbid play to start.
Frequency and duration of rolling
During the match, the pitch may be rolled at the request of the captain of the batting side, for a period of not more than 7 minutes, before the start of each innings, other than the first innings of the match, and before the start of each subsequent day’s play.
Rolling after a delayed start
In addition to the rolling permitted above, if, after the toss and before the first innings of the match, the start is delayed, the captain of the batting side may request that the pitch be rolled for not more than 7 minutes. However, if the umpires together agree that the delay has had no significant effect on the state of the pitch, they shall refuse such a request for rolling of the pitch.
Choice of rollers
If there is more than one roller available the captain of the batting side shall choose which one is to be used.
Timing of permitted rolling
The rolling permitted (maximum 7 minutes) before play begins on any day shall be started not more than 30 minutes before the time scheduled or rescheduled for play to begin. The captain of the batting side may, however, delay the start of such rolling until not less than 10 minutes before the time scheduled or rescheduled for play to begin.
Clearing debris from the pitch
The pitch shall be cleared of any debris before the start of each day’s play. This shall be after the completion of mowing and before any rolling, not earlier than 30 minutes nor later than 10 minutes before the time or any rescheduled time for the start of play, between innings (this shall precede rolling if any is to take place) and at all intervals for meals. The clearance of debris shall be done by sweeping, except where the umpires consider that this may be detrimental to the surface of the pitch. In this case, the debris must be cleared from that area by hand, without sweeping. In addition to debris may be cleared from the pitch by hand, without sweeping, before mowing and whenever either umpire considers it necessary.
Mowing
All mowings which are carried out before the match shall be the sole responsibility of the Ground Authority. All subsequent mowings shall be carried out under the supervision of the umpires.
The pitch and outfield
In order that throughout the match the ground conditions should be as nearly the same for both sides as possible, both the pitch and the outfield shall be mown on each day of the match on which play is expected to take place, if ground and weather conditions permit.
If for reasons other than conditions of ground or weather, complete mowing of the outfield is not possible, the Ground Authority shall notify the captains and umpires of the procedure to be adopted for such mowing during the match.
Timing of mowing
Mowing of the pitch on any day shall be completed not later than 30 minutes before the time scheduled or rescheduled for play to begin on that day, before any sweeping prior to rolling. If necessary, debris may be removed from the pitch before mowing, by hand, without sweeping.
Mowing of the outfield on any day shall be completed not later than 15 minutes before the time scheduled or rescheduled for play to begin on that day.
Watering the pitch
The pitch shall not be watered during the match.
Re-marking creases
Creases shall be re-marked whenever either umpire considers it necessary.
Maintenance of footholes
The umpires shall ensure that the holes made by the bowlers and batsmen are cleaned out and dried whenever necessary to facilitate play.
In matches of more than one day’s duration, the umpires shall allow, if necessary, the re-turfing of footholes made by the bowlers in their delivery strides, or the use of quick-setting fillings for the same purpose.
Securing of footholds and maintenance of pitch
During play, umpires shall allow the players to secure their footholds by the use of sawdust provided that no damage to the pitch is caused and that Law 41 (Unfair play) is not contravened.
Non-turf pitches
Wherever appropriate, the provisions set out above shall apply
Source: Tom Smith’s Cricket Umpiring and Scoring (Law 9)
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