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[HallamKeeper]

Out of interest, is there any reason why batsmen have to mark their own guard? Would it be possible to just have three lines painted from the crease to the stumps or is there something obvious I'm missing? Obviously the lines would wear out but not all of them. I just wonder if this would help keep the wickets in better condition with less dust etc created.

[MD2812]

I would imagine lines would fade away as feet move over them as shots are played.

batsman like different guard styles. Think Trottys crease going as far down the track as he could get away with. I like a 45 degree line from my guard as I find it gets less disturbed, I also have the habit of running a stud through it before each delivery to set up my focus.

I have to say, I changed my studs the other week and marking my guard was so much easier!!

As for them becoming dusty, apart from making it harder for other batsman it shouldn't be an issue. If a bowler hits that area it's a yorker so you can't be hoping for the ball to do anything off the surface?

[Akewstick]

The 45 degree line is a great idea, dunno how that's not occured to me. I bat number three and take leg, of the two openers, one takes middle-and-leg and the other likes to stand on leg but mark out middle stump as well so he can see it. We have usually dug a sizeable hole after 20 overs between the three of us, and re-marking it every two or three balls is a necessity.

[horseman]

I take middle and leg. Mark it 6 inches either side of the line and then three drags of the foot at 45 degree angles away from leg stump. Keeps my guard safe from all those middle men!!.