Law 9 (The bowling, popping and return creases)
1. The creases
A bowling crease, a popping crease and two return creases shall
be marked in white, as set out in 2, 3 and 4 below, at each
end of the pitch. See Appendix B.
2. The bowling crease
The bowling crease, which is the back edge of the crease marking,
shall be the line through the centres of the three stumps
at that end. It shall be 8ft 8 in/2.64m in length, with the
stumps in the centre.
3. 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 4ft/1.22m from it. The popping crease shall be marked
to a minimum of 6ft/1.83m on either side of the imaginary
line joining the centres of the middle stumps and shall be
considered to be unlimited in length.
4. 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 4ft 4 in/1.32m 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 8ft/2.44m behind it and shall be considered to be unlimited
in length.
