We don’t want to make this any more complicated and confusing for you. be aware that a pitch for cricket is precisely 22 yards in length, which is equivalent to 66 feet or 20.12 meters. It’s that simple! For those who are new to the game and are trying to learn some basics about the game to appreciate it more, remember that a cricket field is this rectangular strip in the middle of the field. This is where all the action that happens in cricket, such as the bowling, the cricket, the stumping everything happens on this strip. Although, some players that have watched cricket for quite a while are now comparing pitch to that whole grassy area, but it’s not true. It’s true that the correct “pitch” is just the thin flat, dry, and dry area between the stumps in two sets.
Wait! Why Exactly 22 Yards? Why Not More And Shorter Than That?
If you’re performing professionally, then the field can be a bit shorter or a little longer than the one you prefer, based on your preferences. However, when it comes to professional or international matches in cricket, it’s specifically stated in the rule books for cricket that the pitch should be at least 22 feet, all the time.
What exactly are 22 yards? For instance, why is it not 21/20, 24 or even something like that? Look at the story of that goes back to 1744, when the first official rules for the sport of cricket were created. The whole thing was taking place in England and at the time, there was to be a measuring device known as the Gunter’s chain which was 22 yards in length. As time passed, as people used to measure pitches, they were using the entire length of that measurement device. It’s amazing to think that after over 280 years, we continue to play cricket on a field exactly the same size.
What’s on the Pitch, Though?
It’s not just a simple strip that’s it. Actually, there are certain important elements you can are able to see on a pitch particularly when it’s an international or professional match. First of all at this point you know that a pitch is 22 yards long. However, the size of the pitch is at least 10 feet in width.
If you look at it closely, you’ll notice that the stumps (three wooden sticks) at both ends, and in front you’ll see a line of white known as”the pop crease. This line determines certain aspects of the game. For instance when a run-out or stumping appeals, the batsman should remain within the popping crease, or else they’ll have to be declared out of the game by an umpire.
The problems don’t stop there however, because there’s also something referred to as the dangerous zone or protected area. What? This is indeed an extremely narrow space right in the middle. If you’ve seen cricket games for some time you’ve probably watched umpires warning bowlers to not play on this extremely small area in the center of the field. Why? Well, generally, bowlers and batsmen wear spike shoes. And should they be able to run on the pitch in any way they like, it could affect the pitch’s conditions and also make it more appealing for the bowling team particularly when spin attacks are in full swing.
