<P> The origin of creases is uncertain but they were certainly in use by the beginning of the 18th century when they were created by scratch marks , the popping crease being 46 inches in front of the wicket at each end of the pitch . In the course of time , the scratches became cuts which were an inch deep and an inch wide . The cut was in use until the second half of the 19th century . Sometime during the early career of Alfred Shaw , he suggested that the creases should be made by lines of whitewash and this was gradually adopted through the 1870s . </P>
<P> The origin of creases is uncertain but they were certainly in use by the beginning of the 18th century when they were created by scratch marks , the popping crease being 46 inches in front of the wicket at each end of the pitch . In the course of time , the scratches became cuts which were an inch deep and an inch wide . The cut was in use until the second half of the 19th century . Sometime during the early career of Alfred Shaw , he suggested that the creases should be made by lines of whitewash and this was gradually adopted through the 1870s . </P>
how far is the crease from the wicket
how far is the crease from the wicket
46 inches
46 inches