Cricket Ball Specifications

A cricket ball is typically made from a combination of cork, string and leather. The inside consists of a piece of cork wrapped in tightly wound string while the outside is covered in pieces of leather. Top range cricket balls are typically covered with four pieces of leather.

  1. Men's

    • The Marylebone Cricket Club has been responsible for interpreting the laws of the game since the club was founded in 1787. According to MCC rules, a new ball should weigh no less than 5 1/2 oz. (155.9g) and no more than 5 3/4 oz. (163g). It should have a circumference that measures no less than 8 13/16 inches (22.4cm) and no more than 9 inches (22.9cm). Red balls are always used in Test matches, while white ones are used in one-day matches. In Test match cricket, the fielding side can use a new ball after 80 overs, and there is a mandatory ball change after 34 overs in a one-day international. As of 2010, the Kookaburra Turk AK101 is used in 85 percent of international matches, however, the Duke ball is the ball of choice in England, while the SG ball is used in India.

    Women's

    • A women's cricket ball should be slightly smaller than the ones used by men. It should weigh no less than 4 15/16 oz. (140g) and no more than 5 5/16 oz. (151g). The ball should also have a circumference of no less than 8 1/4 inches (21cm) and no more than 8 7/8 inches (22.5cm).

    Junior

    • The junior category accounts for all levels under the age of 13. The regulations for a junior cricket balls state that it should weigh no less than 4 11/16 oz. (133g) and no more than 5 1/16 oz. (144g). It should also have a circumference of no less than 8 11/16 inches (20.5cm) and no more than 8 11/16 inches (22cm).