Cricket Stumps

In the sport of cricket, the stumps and bails together form the wicket situated at the end of the pitch. The bowler usually tries to bowl the ball in a certain way that it should hit the stumps. This method is called stumping or being stumped through which the batsman is knocked out / dismissed.

Construction of the Cricket Stumps

The stumps are three vertical stands on which two bails are supported. The entire wicket is made of wooden (referred to as ash) stumps and bails. Each stump has a height of 28 inches (71.1 cm) with a diameter of 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) to 1.38 inches (3.49 cm). One end of the stumps contains spikes. These spikes help in the insertion of the stumps into the ground. The top of the stump has a U-shaped groove, helps in positioning and support of the bails.

• Off Stump - It is the stump present on the offside side of the wicket (the same side the batsman put his bat on).
• Middle Stump - It is the centre stump placed between both the external stumps (off stump and leg stump).
• Leg Stump - It is the stump present placed on the on-side of the wicket (same side as the batsman’s legs).

History and Evolution of the Cricket Stumps

The complete three sets of stumps were used in 1775. Before that, only a set of two stumps was used in cricket. The recent modification of the stumps includes sponsor’s logo. Nowadays, stump-cam is also used which provide a unique view for action replays, specifically when a batsman is bowled. With the recent advancement of technology, the stumps are aided with red LEDs (popularly known as Zing Bails). The lights only put on when any ball strikes the stumps directly. The LED stumps were used for the first time at the ICC World Twenty20 in 2014. Since then the new modified stumps have been used in every limited-overs matches as well as day/night Tests.

Official Rules regarding Cricket Stumps

• The stump should be 28 inches high above the pitch. The bails should be placed on the cylindrical end present on the top.
• The bails after being placed on top of the stumps shouldn’t project more than 0.5 inches above them.
• Both sets of the wickets (stumps along with the bails) should be placed opposite and parallel to each other on the crease and each wicket should be 9 inches wide.
• The stumps should be in correct shape with smooth surfaces and even in dimension. They are required to be firmly placed in the ground and equally spaced from each other.