A rectangle in the centre of the pitch on which a bowler may not run after delivering the ball.
Example sentencesExamples
In cricket, running onto the protected area of the pitch, or even being on the pitch without just cause is forbidden.
The fast bowler had to be pulled out of the attack in mid-over for running on to the protected area of the pitch.
The additional stipulations cover: time wasting by fielding side, batsmen wasting time, and bowler running on the protected area after delivering the ball.
I once saw a batsman draw a line with his bat from leg stump up the pitch and just before the protected area, to give himself a guide of where the leg spin bowler was pitching the ball.
lf the umpire sees a bowler running on the protected area after delivering the ball, the umpire will caution the bowler.
Cricket Australia said in a statement that he had been found guilty of creating a long valley within the protected area by means other than natural wear and tear.
The Protected Area has no special relevance for batsmen, only for the bowler.