How Many Different Types of Cricket Balls Are There?

Whether you are a professional coach or an aspiring cricketer, you probably know that balls are a vital component of the game and how they influence the whole dynamics—be it spin, swing, and pace. 

In cricket, different balls are used in different formats, and each one has its own characteristics that must not be undermined. 

Today, we shed light on the different types of cricket balls so that you can make a well-informed decision with regards to the cricket ball you should buy. 

Type 1: Red Leather Ball

 First on the list of types of cricket balls is the ionic red leather ball, which is widely used in international test cricket and first-class games. Made out of premium-grade leather and featuring a tough cork wrapped in layers of tightly wound string, red leather balls are known to offer more swing and bounce to bowlers. 

One of the reasons red leather balls are mostly preferred for test cricket worldwide is their striking dyed cherry color, which is visible under bright sunlight. These balls are the most durable of all types of balls in cricket, as they usually last for a minimum of 80-90 overs per day. 

Red leather balls have a seam woven from synthetic material and white thread, which enables these balls to reverse around the 40th over (may vary based on pitch and ground condition).  There two types of leather Balls 2 Piece and 4 Piece and 4 pierce Leather balls are more expensive.

Type 2: White Leather Cricket Ball:

Second, we have the white leather cricket balls. These balls are popular for limited-overs games, both T20s and ODIs. Although, in terms of material, a white leather ball is somewhat similar to the red leather ball, the former has a different colour for enhanced visibility under floodlights and day-night matches. 

Compared to red leather balls, white balls retain their hardness and shrine for a shorter duration, thus giving an edge to the bowlers as they can reverse the ball and have some late swing. 

White leather balls are made out of alum-tanned leather, which is more resistant to wear and tear; therefore, no matter how hard the batsmen are striking, these balls stay in shape. 

 White balls are generally slightly heavier than red leather balls due to the protective coating (paint and lacquer) they have. This slight difference in weight gives white-red balls an early advantage in movement on the field. There two types of Leather Balls 2 Piece and 4 Piece and 4 pierce leather balls are more expensive.

Type 3: Pink Leather Balls (also same as Orange, Yellow and other dyed colour Leather ball) 

Now, we have the pink leather balls. These balls came into existence with the advent of the day-night test matches. Pink balls feature a blended seam of synthetic and linen stitched with a blank thread. Kookaburra was the first company from Australia who invented the pink leather ball. 

Pink leather balls offer excellent visibility during the afternoon under natural light and in the evening under floodgates. One of the striking features of the pink balls is their swing and seam movement under lights, which has proven to be challenging even for professional cricketers. 

Types 4: Tennis Balls

Tennis balls are widely popular for backyard or street cricket games. These balls are a modified version of traditional cricket balls; however, they are made out of rubber covered with felt. 

Compared to leather cricket balls, tennis balls are lighter and softer, therefore best-suited for cricket matches played in limited space or with minimum cricketing gear. 

There are few different types of Tennis Cricket ball used in backyard cricket, Tape Ball Cricket and other heavy tennis games for outside grounds.

Type 5: Practice Balls

Now the most popular in the list of types of cricket balls, we have practice balls. 

As the name suggests, these balls are meant to be used during training and net sessions. These balls are usually made out of low-grade leather or may be of synthetic material; therefore, they are quite less- expensive than the match balls. 

Type 6: Indoor Cricket Balls

Finally, last but not the least, we have Indoor Cricket balls. 

As the name suggests, these balls are meant to be used during indoor cricket, training and net sessions. These balls are usually made out of low-grade leather and always in Yellow colour. These balls are lightweight (approx 115 - 125 grams) to reduce the impact on hitting the body. There are not a lot of good manufacturers of these balls and thus these balls are always in demand. These balls are mid priced than the match balls. 

To Sum Up

 In cricket, there are a variety of balls tailored to different formats and conditions. Red leather balls dominate Test cricket, offering swing and durability over long periods.

White leather balls suit limited-overs matches, retaining hardness for shorter durations and aiding bowlers with late swings.

Pink leather balls, introduced for day-night tests, provide enhanced visibility and swing under lights. Tennis balls, with rubber cores and felt coverings, are popular for informal games in limited spaces. Practice balls are ideal for training sessions. 

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FAQs

Yes, each type of ball behaves slightly differently due to factors like the material used and manufacturing variations. Red balls are known to swing more, especially in overcast conditions, while white balls tend to swing sharply under floodlights. Pink balls, being relatively newer, are still being studied for their behavioural nuances.

While the basic design remains the same, there may be slight variations in cricket balls used in different countries based on factors like climate, pitch conditions, and manufacturing preferences.

"Cherry" is a colloquial term used by players and fans to refer to a new, red cricket ball. The term is derived from the bright red color of the ball, which resembles a ripe cherry.