Line in Cricket (Off-Stump, Fourth-Stump and Leg-Stump Lines)
Also known as: fourth stump line, fifth stump line, off stump line, leg stump line, line and length, 4th stump line, bowling line in cricket
Line describes how far across the pitch the ball is, from leg side to off side. Common lines are leg stump, middle stump, off stump, and the "fourth stump" and "fifth stump" lines outside off. The fourth stump line is an imaginary stump just outside off stump. Seam bowlers aim there to find edges.
Length is how far down the pitch the ball lands. Line is how far across it travels. Together they make "line and length". Lines are named after the stumps. A leg-stump line is aimed at or just outside leg stump. A middle-stump line attacks the stumps. An off-stump line is at or just outside off stump.
Outside off stump, coaches use imaginary stumps. The fourth stump is an imaginary stump next to off stump. The fifth stump is another step wider. A ball on the fourth-stump line makes a batter play. It could seam back and hit the stumps. A ball on the fifth-stump line tempts a drive or an edge. It can usually be left.
For batters, knowing your lines is the base of shot selection. Many leaves come from balls on the fifth-stump line or wider. Balls on the stumps need a bat in the way. Leg-side lines offer flicks and glances. A left-hander's lines are the mirror image. Off stump is on the other side of the wicket. The bowler's angle changes too.
Tips by skill level
Place cones on the fourth- and fifth-stump lines in the nets. Say out loud which line each ball is on as it passes.
Some batters take guard nearer off stump to bring their eyes closer to the fourth-stump line. Try it in the nets before a match.
Example
The coach tells her seamer to bowl the fourth-stump line. The ball lands just outside off. The batter must play at it, since it might seam back into the stumps.
Why it matters
Bowlers plan in lines, and so should batters. Knowing which line you can leave is the start of a sound defence.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up line with length
- Playing at fifth-stump balls that would miss off stump
- Leaving fourth-stump balls that could seam back and hit the stumps
- Forgetting that lines flip for a left-handed batter
Frequently asked questions
What is the fourth stump line in cricket?
It is the line of an imaginary stump just outside off stump. Seam bowlers aim there to force the batter to decide whether to play or leave. A ball on that line can find the edge or seam back in.
What does line and length mean in cricket?
Line is how far across the pitch the ball travels, from leg side to off side. Length is how far down the pitch it lands. A bowler with good line and length hits the right spot in both directions.
Related terms
- Good LengthA good-length delivery is one that pitches at the spot that forces the batter to be uncertain whether to play off the front foot or the back foot — often the most testing length a bowler can hit.
- Corridor of UncertaintyThe corridor of uncertainty is a narrow line just outside off stump where a batter is unsure whether to play or leave. It is about line, not length. Bowlers aim there to find the edge. Batters handle it by knowing their off stump and playing late with soft hands.
- Leaving the BallLeaving the ball means choosing not to play at a delivery and lifting your bat and hands up out of its path. As a result, it goes through to the keeper. Leave balls you judge will miss the stumps, usually those wide of off stump or bouncing over the top. Move your feet into position first, then lift the bat high and keep watching the ball until it passes you.
- StumpsStumps are the three upright wooden posts — off stump, middle stump, and leg stump — that form each wicket in cricket, topped by two small bails that fall if the ball strikes them.
- Taking GuardTaking guard means lining up your bat with a chosen stump before you face. It tells you where your stumps are. Hold the bat upright on the crease and ask the umpire at the bowler's end for leg stump, middle and leg, or middle. Then mark the spot. Many batters start on middle or middle and leg.
- Left-Handed BattingBat the way that gives you the most control, whatever hand you write with. Research has found pro batters are much more likely than beginners to bat with their stronger hand on top of the handle. Left-handers face different angles from bowlers. Left-right partnerships make bowlers keep changing their line.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.