Cricket has evolved over the years, especially in terms of equipment. Cricket balls, like bats, have changed in size, design, and colour, depending on the format of the game. This article explores the different colours and types of cricket balls and how their characteristics affect gameplay.
What color are cricket balls?
Red Ball
The red ball is the oldest cricket ball used in the sport. It is primarily used in first-class matches and day Tests, which are cricket’s oldest format. The red ball is made by several different manufacturers depending on the region where the game is played. In England and the West Indies, the red ball is produced by Duke. Tailored for conditions in England, Dukes are darker in shade and are known for swinging significantly. Their seam remains upright even after several overs of use.
In countries like Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, the Kookaburra red ball is used in Test matches. Manufactured in Australia, the Kookaburra ball swings for the first 30 overs, after which it becomes easier for batters to play their shots.
In India, the SG (Sansparelis Greenlands) red ball is used for both first-class and Test cricket. This ball, in use since the early 1990s, has a wider seam that provides spinners with a better grip, making it ideal for India’s spin-friendly conditions. The SG ball also starts to swing after the 30-over mark.
White Ball
The white ball was introduced in 1977 by Australian tycoon Kerry Packer, a pioneer of day-night cricket. Though the idea of using a white ball was discussed in the 1930s, it only became a reality in the late 1970s with the World Cricket Series. Day-night cricket necessitated the white ball for better visibility under lights, especially as players started wearing colored jerseys.
The white ball is easier for players to see under lights in day-night games compared to the red ball. However, the white ball deteriorates much faster, losing its shine after swinging in the early stages of the game. Initially, a single white ball was used from the first to the 34th over in ODIs, with a reconditioned ball used for the last 16 overs. Since 2012, two white balls are used in ODIs, with each ball being used for 25 overs. The Kookaburra ball is the one commonly used in white-ball cricket.
Pink Ball
The pink ball emerged in the 2000s as the concept of day-night first-class and Test matches began to gain traction. White balls were deemed unsuitable for Test cricket, as they couldn’t withstand the 80 overs of play and clashed with the traditional white attire worn by players. Red balls were also ruled out for use under lights due to their poor visibility.
As a result, the cricketing world decided that the pink ball would be the ideal solution for day-night Tests. Kookaburra was the leading manufacturer of pink balls for countries where they were used in Test cricket, while India initially used SG pink balls starting in 2019. England, on the other hand, uses pink Dukes for day-night Tests.
While pink balls are known for their swing and seam, the way they behave in day-night Tests is still being studied. For example, during India’s pink-ball Test against England in Ahmedabad in 2021, the ball was known to spin quite a bit, indicating the evolving nature of the pink ball in Test matches.
