Cricket Ball Change Rules: When and How the Ball Is Replaced
A complete guide to the rules governing cricket ball changes — the new ball, ball replacement for damage, and the regulations around ball condition throughout a match.
The cricket ball is central to the contest between bat and ball, and its condition changes significantly over the course of an innings, affecting how it behaves. The Laws of Cricket include specific provisions governing when the bowling team can request a new ball, when a ball must be replaced, and what happens to the match when a ball is changed.
The New Ball in Test Cricket
In Test cricket, the fielding team is entitled to take the new ball after 80 overs have been bowled with the current ball. Taking the new ball is optional — the fielding captain may choose to continue with the old ball if it is reverse swinging effectively or if the pitch is offering sufficient turn to their spinners. The new ball is harder and swings more conventionally than an older ball, making it a significant tactical weapon in the hands of skilled fast bowlers.
Ball Replacement for Damage
If a cricket ball becomes unfit for play due to damage — such as hitting a hard surface outside the boundary, being deliberately damaged, or deteriorating abnormally — it must be replaced with a ball in a comparable condition of wear to the one being replaced. The umpires judge what constitutes a 'comparable' ball, selecting from a set of used balls that have been kept in reserve. The replacement ball is not a new ball; its age is matched to the ball it replaces.
Ball Changes in Limited-Overs Cricket
In ODI and T20 cricket, the rules differ from Test cricket. ODIs typically use two new balls — one from each end — for the full 50 overs of each innings. This reduces reverse swing and generally benefits batting, as newer balls swing more conventionally but do not deteriorate as rapidly. T20 cricket uses a single new ball per innings but the short format means the ball never gets old enough for reverse swing to become a significant factor.
Frequently asked questions
When can the fielding team take the new ball in Test cricket?
In Test cricket, the fielding team is entitled to take the new ball after 80 overs have been bowled with the current ball. Taking the new ball is optional — the captain can choose to continue with the old ball if it is suiting their bowling attack.
What happens if a cricket ball is damaged during a match?
If a cricket ball becomes unfit for play due to damage, it is replaced by the umpires with a ball in a comparable condition of wear. The replacement is not a new ball — its age must match the ball being replaced to maintain consistency in how the game has been progressing.