Materials Used for Cricket Balls

Cricket, in its origins, is a game of bat and ball. The size and composition of the ball have changed little since the early days of the game. The ball is traditionally dyed red and is very hard especially when new. However, white cricket balls have been used when the game has been played under floodlights. The dimensions of the ball are specified by the laws of the game. Law 5 states that the ball, when new, must weigh between 5 1/2 and 5 3/4 oz., and measure between 8 13/16 inches and 9 inches in circumference.

  1. Cork Core

    • The core of the cricket ball is traditionally made of cork and measures about two centimeters in diameter. Some balls now use a composite core made of cork and rubber.

    Yarn and Cork Layers

    • The core is surrounded by alternate layers of wet-wound wool or yarn, and more cork.

    Leather Casing

    • The composition of the ball affects its behavior when bowled.

      The ball is finished by being covered with leather casing. In the best balls, four pieces of leather are used to make the case. Cheaper balls use only two. Highly polished when new, the leather becomes dull, scuffed and worn during the course of a game. Some bowlers encourage scuffing on one side of the ball, believing that this increases air resistance and causes the ball to move in the air (swing) when bowled.

    The Seam

    • A cricket ball has a raised outer seam around its diameter, sewn from yarn. The seam is important for gripping the ball, and it also assists the ball in changing direction (spinning or cutting) when it pitches (hits the ground) in front of the batsmen.