The pitch
'Pitches are like wives, you can never quite tell how they will turn out,' said Sir Len Hutton after asking Australia to bat first in Brisbane and seing them score 600. The only thing you can be certain about is that they are 22 yards long (between wicket and wicket). Otherwise, each pitch has its own idiosyncrasies, influenced by prevailing weather, soil, groundsman and quiet guidance from the home side. For instance, if the hosts are 2-1 up going into the final Test of a series, it'll be no surprise to find a soft pitch that absolutely guarantees a draw.
There are a variety of pitch types in England as these four examples (below) illustrate. They will be green and dampish but by August they will be dry and brown.
 Lord's
Here, the grass is usually closely cropped and even, but the grey-marl colour suggests dampness underneath.
 The Oval
Here, the grass is patchier and coarser, offering a slow, spongy bounce. It used to be faster but has lost some of its pace.
 Headingley
The surface here is more like crazy paving, with hairline cracks that widen as the game develops.
 Old Trafford
Here, the cracks are quite wide and the ball will misbehave - keeping low or lifting if it lands on the edge.
 Karachi
A pitch in Pakistan, just for comparison. The soil is baked solid but the surface, despite its appearance, plays well.
The pitch/wicket is a rectangular area of the ground 22 yards (20.12m) in length and
10ft (3.05m in width). It is bounded at either end by the bowling creases, and in the event of adverse weather the umpires shall be the final judges of the fitness of the pitch for play.
The pitch shall not be changed during the match unless the umpires decided that it is unreasonable or dangerous for play to continue on it, and then only with the consent of both captains.
In the event of a non-turf pitch being used, the artificial surface shall have a minimum length and width of 58ft (17.68m) and 6ft (1.83m) respectively.
Rolling the wicket
 Rollers
Machinary and methods alter depending on the tools available.
The wicket may be rolled druing the match at the request of the captain of the batting side – for a maximum of seven minutes – before the start of each innings except the first innings of the game.
If the start is delayed the captain of the batting side may request the roller for seven minutes, but only if the umpires agree the delay has had a significant effect on the pitch.
If there is more than one roller available the captain may choose which one to use.
The creases
Pitch markings and stump dimensions are two of the constants in cricket, with both having clearly defined regulations.
There are three creases at each end of the wicket, clearly marked out by painted white lines.
(i)The bowling crease is the line that the stumps are on.
(ii)The popping crease is the line 4ft in front of the bowling crease, and the space between the two is the batsman's ground. When the bowler delivers he must not overstep this line (part of his foot must be behind it), otherwise it is called a no-ball. It also marks out the line the batsman has to cross (with bat grounded) when scoring a run.
(iii)The return crease is marked at right angles to the other creases, stretching back from the popping crease behind the bowling crease, it forms a line which the bowler's back foot must not cut during delivery.
The boundary
Before the toss the umpires should agree the boundary of the field of play with both captains. Any obstancle within the field of play shall not be regarded as a boundary unless so decided by the umpires before the toss.
Wherever practicable the boundary shall be marked by a white line or rope.
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