In this edition of “How’s That” we will be looking at the various creases around a cricket pitch.
The umpires should always check the crease markings before a match. As with the pitch itself and the wickets, umpires will, with experience, become better able to judge visually if the creases are not correct.
Creases and crease markings
The crease markings are the lines painted on the ground. The creases are the back or inside edges of those lines. For the crease markings, although the law states that the lines must be white, it imposes no restrictions on their width. The thickness of the lines does not matter , as long as the inside or back edges of the lines are in the correct place.
Remarking the creases
Sections of the popping crease are often quickly wiped away by the bowler’s front foot. It is however essential that there is a clear line for the umpire to judge the position of the bowler’s front foot for No Balls. Although in Law 9 it will be seen that creases may be re-marked when either umpire considers it necessary, umpires should take any possible action to restore the popping crease temporarily until the ground staff can repaint it fully.
The bowling crease
The bowling crease, which is the back edge of the crease marking, is the line that marks the end of the pitch, as in Law 6.1 (Area of pitch). It shall be 8 ft 8 in/2.64 m in length.
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 4 ft/1.22 m from it. The popping crease shall be marked to a minimum of 6 ft/1.83 m on either side of the imaginary line joining the centres of the two middle stumps and shall be considered to be unlimited in length.
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 4 ft 4 in/1.32 m 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 8 ft/2.44 m behind it and shall be considered to be unlimited in length
Source: Tom Smith’s Cricket Umpiring and Scoring (Law 7)
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