Cricket Ball: History, Types, and How the Ball Changes the Game
Learn about the cricket ball — its construction, the difference between red, white and pink balls, how the ball changes through an innings, and why it matters.
The cricket ball is central to the game's strategy in a way that no other sport's ball quite matches. Its hardness, seam, shine, and age all directly affect how much it swings, seams, and bounces — and therefore how it should be bowled and batted against. Understanding the ball is understanding half of cricket.
Cricket Ball Construction
A standard cricket ball has a leather outer shell over a cork core, tightly wound with string between the cork and the leather. The leather is stitched together in two halves with a raised seam of 6 rows of stitching running around the circumference. The seam is the ball's primary tool for creating movement — either through the air (swing) or off the pitch (seam).
The Three Ball Types
| Colour | Used In | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Test cricket (day), first-class cricket | Most swing when new; durable across 80 overs; both innings use the same ball per end |
| White | ODI cricket, T20 cricket | Two new white balls from each end in ODIs; harder and more visible under lights; scuffs faster than red |
| Pink | Day-night Test cricket | Under floodlights at dusk, best visibility; swings considerably under lights; some controversy over durability and reverse swing properties |
How the Ball Changes Through an Innings
A new ball is hard and shiny — it swings through the air and seams off the pitch. As the ball ages (20–40 overs), it softens slightly and becomes harder to swing conventionally. The shine on the maintained side becomes important for reverse swing potential. After 40+ overs on abrasive pitches, the ball may reverse. At 80 overs (in Test cricket), the fielding team can take a new ball — and conventional swing returns.
The New Ball in Test Cricket
In Test cricket, each team's bowling attack faces a key decision at 80 overs: take the new ball, or continue with the worn ball if reverse swing is threatening. This decision is made by the fielding captain and can be decisive — a team threatening reverse swing with the old ball may choose to delay the new ball; a team without reverse swing ability almost always takes it immediately.
Manufacturers: Dukes, Kookaburra and SG
Three manufacturers produce the balls used in international cricket: Dukes (used in England and the West Indies), Kookaburra (used in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka), and SG (used in India and Pakistan). Dukes balls are widely considered to swing the most and longest; Kookaburra balls deteriorate faster and are associated with more seam movement; SG balls are considered to give spinners the best grip in late-innings conditions.
Ball-Tampering and the Law
Deliberately altering the condition of the ball beyond legitimate methods (polishing with sweat, using normal wear) is illegal and results in severe penalties under cricket law. Historical ball-tampering incidents — including Australia's 'Sandpapergate' in 2018 — led to international bans for the players involved.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the cricket ball red in Test cricket but white in limited-overs?
The red ball has been used in cricket for centuries. When limited-overs cricket under floodlights was introduced, the red ball was invisible against the light background — white balls were adopted for visibility. Pink balls were later developed specifically for day-night Test cricket as a compromise between the Test red-ball tradition and the visibility requirements of playing under lights.
How much does a cricket ball weigh?
A men's cricket ball must weigh between 155.9g and 163g. Women's cricket uses a slightly lighter ball — between 140g and 151g. The weight tolerance allows for variation in manufacturing while keeping the ball's behaviour consistent.
When can a fielding team change the ball in cricket?
In Test cricket, if a ball is lost, damaged beyond use, or becomes misshapen, the umpires can replace it with a ball of similar age and condition. The fielding captain can request a new ball after 80 overs (in all men's Test cricket). In ODI cricket, if a ball becomes unfit for play, umpires replace it with a ball in similar condition.
What is the difference between a Dukes ball and a Kookaburra?
Dukes balls have a more prominent seam and retain their shape and shine longer than Kookaburras — they are associated with swing bowling that lasts deep into an innings. Kookaburra balls have a flatter seam and deteriorate faster, becoming scuffed and rough more quickly — making reverse swing more likely earlier. The choice of ball significantly affects the nature of cricket played.