Cricket pitch facts for kids

A cricket pitch (not to scale)

The cricket pitch is the central and most important area on a cricket field. It is a flat strip of ground where most of the action happens during a cricket match. Think of it as the main stage for the players!

What is a Cricket Pitch?

The pitch is where the bowler throws the ball and the batsman tries to hit it. It is also where the wickets are placed. The game of cricket depends a lot on this special area.

Size and Shape

A cricket pitch is always a rectangle. It is 22 yards long. That's about 20.12 meters. It is also 10 feet wide, which is about 3.05 meters. These measurements are very important for fair play.

The Surface of the Pitch

The surface of the pitch is kept very flat and smooth. This helps the cricket ball bounce in a predictable way. Bowlers try to make the ball bounce in tricky ways. Batsmen try to guess where it will bounce. The type of grass or soil on the pitch can change how the ball bounces.

What Happens on the Pitch?

The pitch is where the main battle between the bowler and the batsman takes place.

Bowling and Batting

A bowler stands at one end of the pitch. They run up and throw the ball towards the other end. At that end, a batsman stands ready with their bat. The batsman's goal is to hit the ball and score runs. The bowler's goal is to get the batsman out.

The Wickets

At each end of the pitch, there are three wooden stumps with bails on top. These are called the wicket. The bowler tries to hit the wicket with the ball. If they do, and the bails fall off, the batsman is out! The batsman also tries to protect their wicket from being hit.

Important Lines

There are white lines painted on the pitch. These lines are called creases. They help the umpires make decisions. For example, the popping crease shows where the batsman must stand. The bowling crease shows where the bowler must release the ball.

Rules About Bowling

There are specific rules about how the ball must be bowled on the pitch.

No-ball

If a bowler bowls the ball from the wrong place, it is called a "no-ball". This means the batsman gets an extra delivery. It also gives the batting team an extra run.

Wide Ball

If the bowler throws the ball too far away from the batsman, it is called a "wide". This ball is too far for the batsman to hit fairly. Like a no-ball, it gives the batting team an extra run.

The cricket pitch is a vital part of the game. Its size and condition play a big role in how a match unfolds.