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. 2. The bowling crease The bowling crease, which is the back edge of the crease marking, shall be the line through the centers of the three stumps at that end. It shall be 8ft 8 in/2.64m in length, with the stumps in the center. 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 centers 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 centers 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.