Law 8 (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/20.12 m between the centres of the two middle stumps. Each set shall be 9 in/22.86 cm wide and shall consist of three wooden stumps with two wooden bails on top. See Appendix A.

2. Size of stumps

The tops of the stumps shall be 28 in/71.1 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 1⅜ in/3.49 cm nor more than 1½ in/3.81 cm. See Appendix A.

3. The bails

(a) The bails, when in position on top of the stumps,

(i) shall not project more than ½ in/1.27 cm above them.

(ii) shall fit between the stumps without forcing them out of the vertical.

(b) Each bail shall conform to the following specifications. See Appendix A.

Overall length    45/16 in/10.95 cm
Length of barrel    21/8 in /5.40 cm
Longer spigot    1⅜ in/3.49 cm
Shorter spigot    13/16 in/2.06 cm

4. Junior cricket

In junior cricket, the same definitions of the wickets shall apply subject to the following measurements being used.

Width    8 in/20.32 cm
Pitched for under 13    21 yards/19.20 m
Pitched for under 11    20 yards/18.29 m
Pitched for under 9    18 yards/16.46 m
Height above playing surface    27 in/68.58 cm

Each stump
Diameter not less than 1¼ in/3.18 cm nor more than 1⅜ in/3.49 cm

Each bail
Overall 313/16 in/9.68 cm
Barrel    113/16 in/4.60 cm
Longer spigot    1¼ in/3.18 cm
Shorter spigot     ¾ in/1.91 cm

5. Dispensing with bails

The umpires may agree to dispense with the use of bails, if necessary. 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. See Law 28.4 (Dispensing with bails).

© Marylebone Cricket Club 2013