Cricket has been around since the mid-18th century, with the first international matches taking place in the late 19th century. Despite many changes in the game over the years, cricket balls have remained relatively consistent.
If you're a beginner and have just started practising this sport, it's important to get familiar with the types of balls, especially with
cricket training balls. Here's what you need to know.
History of Cricket Balls
The Duke family from Kent, England is credited with inventing the first cricket balls in the 18th Century. They established their business in 1760 and received the Royal Patent for their cricket balls from King George IV in 1775. In 1780, they produced the first-ever six-seam ball. Dukes Cricket Balls are still used in all Test Matches in the UK and the West Indies. Originally, these cricket balls had a cork centre wrapped in twine and covered with leather on the outside.
What Cricket Balls Are Made Of?
Cricket balls have changed over time as the sport has grown worldwide. Nowadays, a standard cricket ball used in professional matches is crafted from a cork core wrapped in layers of nylon or wool. It also includes a wooden layer surrounding the cork. This entire structure is then covered in leather, featuring a seam with six rows of stitching made from string or nylon. Besides cork, there are a few other materials manufacturers use:
• String - after the cork core, the ball is tightly wrapped with string for added strength
• Leather - the cork and string interior is covered with leather, which is typically dyed red or white.
Leather cricket balls can come in either two pieces or four pieces, depending on the level of cricket being played. In a four-piece ball, two leather sections are stitched together at the equator with raised seams. This construction provides durability, making it ideal for competitive matches. On the other hand, two-piece balls are more commonly used for training purposes.
Cricket Practice Balls
Cricket training balls are specifically made to mimic the performance of regular match cricket balls, but they are built to last longer. This means that you can use them multiple times without getting easily damaged. These balls have a foam core, making them safer to use and less likely to cause injuries or damage to surroundings. Despite the foam core, they still spin and bounce like a traditional leather cricket ball. The Incrediball is perfect for schools and clubs due to its durability.
Types of Cricket Balls
Red and White Balls
In the past, cricket matches always used red balls, but nowadays white cricket balls have been introduced. While white ball manufacturers claim that the only distinction between white and red cricket balls is the colour, many players have mentioned that white balls have a tougher outer layer and swing more easily than red balls.
Despite the performance variations pointed out by players, the primary reason for using different coloured balls is visibility. White cricket balls are now commonly used in shorter T20 and ODI matches played under floodlights. White balls were introduced because they have better visibility during evening and night games (red balls can appear brownish under floodlights, making it difficult for players and spectators to see).
White balls are not suitable for test matches as the colour would clash with players' kits and could cause visibility issues. Instead, red balls are still used for test matches worldwide, although pink balls have been introduced for day-night test matches played under floodlights.
Pink
Before pink cricket balls were introduced, many players had complained about the visibility of red balls under artificial lighting. After testing various colours like orange and optic yellow, a pink coloured cricket ball was chosen.
Tennis Balls
Tape cricket ball, also known as tennis cricket ball, is commonly used for street cricket and beginner-level cricket. There are two types of cricket tennis balls available - heavy and light.
What's a Cricket Wind Ball?
Cricket wind balls are specifically designed for playing wind ball cricket, a variation of the sport commonly played on concrete surfaces. These balls are softer than regular cricket balls and are typically made of plastic to endure the rough conditions of concrete pitches. Ideal for schools and clubs, wind balls offer a safer option for practice sessions with minimal risk of injuries or damage.
Cricket Balls Size and Weight
In top-level cricket matches, a cricket ball should weigh between 156 and 163 grams. A cricket ball should have a diameter of 7.11-7.26cm. For "first-class" cricket, the circumference should be between 22.4-22.9cm.
Junior Cricket Balls
Junior cricket balls are used in leagues for players under 13 years old. They weigh between 133g-144g and have a circumference of 20.50-22cm. Junior cricket balls are smaller and lighter compared to full-size cricket balls. Their diameter should be 6.5-7.2cm.
