Understanding the Cricket Ground

In this lesson you will get a bird's-eye view of a cricket ground. Most grounds are roughly oval or circular, although no fixed shape is required, and the size varies from ground to ground. In the centre is the square, a specially prepared area of closely mown, rolled grass from which individual pitches are cut. Around the square is the outfield, which stretches to the boundary at the edge of the playing area. Because grounds differ, the boundary distances at one ground may be quite different from another, which can change how a match is played.

• Grounds are usually oval but sizes vary
• The square is the prepared central area
• Pitches are cut from the square
• The outfield stretches to the boundary

In this lesson you will look closely at the pitch. The pitch is the strip between the two sets of stumps, twenty-two yards, or 20.12 metres, from one wicket to the other, and ten feet, or 3.05 metres, wide. The groundsperson prepares it by mowing, rolling and marking it before each match. Fielders and batters should avoid damaging the protected area in the middle of the pitch, sometimes called the danger area, because footmarks there can unfairly help the bowlers. Umpires will warn players who run on it. Respecting the pitch helps keep the contest fair for both sides.

• 22 yards (20.12 m) between the wickets
• 10 feet (3.05 m) wide
• Prepared by mowing, rolling and marking
• Players must not damage the protected area

In this lesson you will learn the white lines painted at each end of the pitch. The bowling crease runs through the base of the stumps. The popping crease is parallel to it, four feet in front of the stumps, and marks the batter's ground. A batter is safe from being run out or stumped when part of their bat or body is grounded behind it. The popping crease also matters for the bowler, because some part of the front foot must land behind it, or the umpire calls a no-ball. The return creases run back at right angles and mark the sideways limit of the bowler's back foot.

• Bowling crease runs through the stumps
• Popping crease is four feet in front of the stumps
• Batters are safe when grounded behind the popping crease
• Return creases limit the bowler's back foot

In this lesson you will understand how the field is divided. Imagine a line running down the middle of the pitch and out to both boundaries. The half of the field in front of the batter's body as they stand ready is the off side, and the half behind their legs is the leg side, also called the on side. For a right-handed batter, the off side is on the right as you look from behind the stumps towards the bowler. For a left-hander, everything flips. Fielding positions and shots are all described using these two sides.

• The field is split by a line through the pitch
• Off side faces the batter's chest
• Leg side, or on side, is behind the batter's legs
• Sides flip for a left-handed batter

In this lesson you will meet the inner circle used in limited-overs cricket. A line of markers or a painted line is placed roughly thirty yards from the middle of the pitch at each end, joined to form an oval. This circle separates the infield from the outfield and is used to enforce fielding restrictions. In standard T20 playing conditions, during the six-over powerplay at the start of an innings, no more than two fielders may be outside the circle. After the powerplay, no more than five may be outside. Check the WFA competition regulations for any league variations.

• Marked about 30 yards from the middle of the pitch
• Separates the infield from the outfield
• Powerplay: maximum two fielders outside
• After the powerplay: maximum five outside

In this lesson you will learn how the edge of the field is marked. The boundary may be a rope, a painted line, a fence or a series of flags, and the captains and umpires agree it before the match. If the ball crosses the boundary after bouncing, four runs are scored. If it is hit over the boundary without touching the ground, six runs are scored. A fielder taking a catch must not be touching or grounded beyond the boundary when they touch the ball, and the Laws set out exactly how a fielder may jump near the rope.

• Rope, line, fence or flags mark the boundary
• Agreed by umpires and captains before the match
• Four if it bounces over, six if it clears on the full
• Catches near the rope follow strict Laws

In this lesson you will look at the facilities around the playing area. Sightscreens are large white or dark screens placed behind the bowler's arm at each end, helping the batter see the ball clearly, so spectators should not walk in front of them while the bowler is running in. The scorebox or scoreboard shows the score. The pavilion houses changing rooms and is where players watch from. Covers protect the square from rain. Learning these features will help you move around a ground like Winnston Park safely and respectfully.

• Sightscreens help batters see the ball
• Do not walk behind the bowler's arm during play
• The scoreboard shows the live score
• Covers protect the square from rain