In the game of cricket, what is the standard length of each stump used in the wicket?

Introduction / Context:
Cricket equipment dimensions, such as the size of the pitch, the bat, and the stumps, are common topics for sports based multiple choice questions. The wicket consists of three stumps and two bails, and the length of each stump is specified in the Laws of Cricket. This question asks for the standard length of each stump in inches, checking detailed but straightforward factual knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question specifically concerns the length of a single stump, not the total width of the wicket.
• The unit required is inches.
• Options list 28 inches, 32 inches, 2 feet, 4 feet, and 30 inches.
• We assume that current standard Laws of Cricket are being used as reference.

Concept / Approach:
According to the official Laws of Cricket, each stump is 28 inches in length above the playing surface. Candidates must remember this exact measurement, which is widely used in cricket coaching and umpiring. Other values listed in the options either exceed or approximate this standard but do not match it exactly. Hence, the correct approach is to recall the law specifying 28 inch stumps and then pick 28 inches from the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the wicket is made up of three wooden stumps and two bails.Step 2: Remember that each stump, as per the Laws of Cricket, has a length of 28 inches above the ground.Step 3: Compare this remembered measure with the answer options: 28 inches, 32 inches, 2 feet, 4 feet, and 30 inches.Step 4: Recognise that 2 feet equals 24 inches, which is shorter than the required length; 32 and 30 inches are too long.Step 5: Select 28 inches as the correct length.

Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative method of verification is to recall that many coaching manuals and cricket diagrams show the wicket dimensions with 28 inch stumps and a total bail height just above that. If a candidate has seen these diagrams or read the laws, the number 28 inches tends to stick as a standard. Comparing with other sports equipment sizes can also help, as a stump taller than 30 inches would look disproportionately high compared to typical cricket visuals.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Thirty two inches and thirty inches are larger than what the laws prescribe and would make the stumps too tall. A two foot stump (24 inches) would be too short for standard play. Four feet, or 48 inches, is obviously much too tall and unrealistic for a cricket stump. Therefore none of these alternatives match the official law, leaving 28 inches as the only correct choice.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is rounding the value based on vague memory and choosing 30 or 32 inches because they sound like “nice” round numbers. Another error is confusing stump length with other cricket measurements, such as pitch length or crease dimensions. To avoid such confusion, candidates should memorise a few key equipment dimensions separately, including the 28 inch stump length.

Final Answer:
In cricket, the standard length of each stump used in the wicket is 28 inches.