Types of Cricket Balls: Red, White, and Pink Explained

Bat and ball are the most important equipment in the game of cricket. Cricket can be played without stumps, helmets and other cricket gear. But, the cricket ball is the most important piece of equipment required to play the sport. One may wonder how many types of cricket balls are there. Here we’ll be talking about different kinds of cricket balls, their uses and their characteristics in detail.

The basic answer to ‘how many types of cricket balls are there’ is that there are different types of cricket balls. Every cricket ball has its purpose, usage and characteristics. Some cricket balls have various shapes, sizes, and weights. As mentioned earlier, every type of cricket ball serves its purpose.

Different cricket balls are used for various formats. Balls used in men’s cricket are different from balls used in women’s cricket. Cricket balls used in junior cricket tournaments have a different weight and size.

Cricket balls also vary depending on the location (countries) where the sport is played. Different types of cricket balls are used in matches played in England. Australia has their type of cricket balls for matches played in Australia. Similarly, cricket balls used in the matches played in India are also different.

Types of cricket balls

Talking about the types of cricket balls, mainly the leather ball is used for playing cricket matches. It’s also called the duce ball or season ball.

Other types of balls include wind balls, plastic balls, swing balls, synthetic balls, tennis balls, seam balls, rubber balls etc. These balls are used by the cricket players for training. These are some types of cricket balls. Every type of ball has a different use or purpose.

Following are some examples of different types of cricket balls. There’s the seam ball which is used by the bowlers to improve their seam position. The swing ball is used by the batters to improve their game against swing bowling. Batters also use heavy plastic balls to get used to the pace and bounce of the fast bowlers.

These are some of the types of cricket balls. There are light plastic balls, rubber balls and tennis balls that are used to play indoor or street (gully) cricket. Tape ball cricket is very popular in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Red cricket balls

Red balls are used for test matches. They are made from cork, wooden strings and a leather covering. They last for longer durations and hence, are used in test cricket. The “seam” is very prominent in red balls.

Red balls have been used since the start of cricket. Earlier, the One-Day Internationals were also played with the red ball before the white ball was introduced.

To learn more about the types, specifications, and rules of test cricket balls, check out our detailed blog here.

Pink cricket balls

Pink balls are made similarly to red balls but the leather covering used on them is dyed in pink colour. They have an extra coating of lacquer which helps in the visibility and also allows the ball to move around quite a lot. The pink balls are also made to last longer and have a prominent seam as they’re used for test cricket or first-class matches.

White cricket balls

The other main type of cricket balls used at the top level are the white balls. They are also made similarly to red and pink balls and the leather covering is dyed in white colour. The white colour has better visibility for playing matches during the night. They get stained quickly and hence cannot be used for longer matches (tests and first-class).

They also have a layer of lacquer coating on them. Generally, the white balls have a less prominent seam compared to red and pink cricket balls. The white balls swing quite a bit in the initial overs but it doesn’t last very long.

Wind balls

Wind balls are lighter in weight and made up of rubber. They are used for players to improve their techniques without the fear of getting injured. They have low bounce and don’t travel very quickly. As wind balls are lighter, they move around unpredictably in the air, allowing the batters to train for swinging and seaming conditions.

Synthetic cricket balls

Synthetic balls are a little lighter in weight compared to leather or duce balls. They are generally hollow and are used for training by cricket players. They are available in many colours like red, white, yellow, pink etc. They are also cheaper. Synthetic balls are used for training in cricket academies by aspiring cricketers. They are also used on cemented tracks to practice fast bowling.

Seam balls

Seam balls are generally used by fast bowlers to maintain a good seam position. They are lighter in weight and have different shapes compared to normal cricket balls. Many seam balls also have two different colours on them to help the bowlers perfect their seam position while bowling.

Swing balls

Swing balls are heavy on one side allowing the players to practice swing bowling. Some swing balls have different colours on both sides. They are mainly used by the batters to train themselves for swing bowling as they swing viciously compared to the leather or duce cricket balls.

Plastic balls

Plastic balls are also used for training by cricket players. Mainly, heavy plastic balls are used to train for bouncers and fast bowling as they travel very quickly and bounce a lot. Mainly batters use heavy plastic cricket balls on cemented turfs to practice against fast bowling. Light plastic balls are used by kids to play indoor cricket.

Tennis cricket balls

Another very popular type of cricket balls are the tennis balls. There are different varieties of tennis balls: light tennis balls, heavy tennis balls and tape balls. Mainly light and heavy tennis balls are used in India for tennis ball tournaments. Tennis balls don’t swing or move around but they bounce quite a lot compared to season balls.

The tennis cricket ball is wrapped around in electrical tape which allows it to travel faster and a tape ball also swings a lot. Tape-ball cricket is very popular in Pakistan and Afghanistan. These were some of the different types of cricket balls that are used to play the sport.

Which ball is used in cricket?

Only the leather ball or duce ball is used in cricket. It comes in different colours for different formats of the game. Every type of cricket ball used in cricket has its characteristics according to the demand of a particular format of the sport.

For example, the limited overs cricket (T20Is, ODIs and franchise cricket) is played mainly during the night. So the ball used in these matches must have excellent visibility for the batters and fielders.

Test cricket goes on for 5 days so balls used for test cricket must last longer and should maintain their shape for longer durations of time.

Generally, Kookaburra Turf White is used for limited-overs cricket around the globe. “SG Test White” is used for limited-overs cricket in India.

Which ball is used in international cricket?

Red ball, pink ball and white ball are used in international cricket. Red and pink balls are used for test and first-class matches as they are made to last long.

White cricket balls are used for limited overs formats (ODIs, T20Is and franchise cricket). They have excellent visibility during the night. Two balls are in use in limited-overs cricket so that one ball doesn’t get stained up and there are no visibility issues for the batters. These balls have a better quality leather case on them and a thicker layer of lacquer.

Test match ball colour

Another question that may pop up is which ball is used in test cricket and the test match ball colour. Red and pink balls are used in test cricket. Mainly the red ball is used for test matches across the globe. Pink balls are used for day-night test matches as they have better visibility under the lights.

The Dukes ball is used for test matches in England and the United Kingdom. The SG Test ball is used for test matches and first-class cricket matches in India.

These balls are made from high-quality materials (cork, wooden strings, threads, leather coating etc). They provide better control and consistent bounce without losing their shape for international and top-level cricket.

Why red ball is used in test cricket?

One question may arise why red ball is used in test cricket? The answer to this is that the test and first-class matches last for 4 or 5 days. The white ball gets stained very quickly which makes it difficult to see for the batters.

The red ball or pink ball lasts longer compared to the white ball and is ideal for test cricket. Kookaburra Turf Pink cricket balls are used for day-night test matches in Australia. The SG Test LE (pink) cricket ball is used for day-night test matches in India.

International cricket ball name

As mentioned earlier, the Kookaburra Turf White cricket balls are used for limited-overs and franchise cricket tournaments. Kookaburra Turf Pink is used for day-night test matches in Australia.

SG Test cricket balls are used in tests and first-class cricket in India. White ball cricket in India is played with the SG Test White balls. SG Test LE (pink) is used for day-night test matches played in India. The Dukes cricket ball is used in test matches in England, Ireland, Scotland and the West Indies.

The white Dukes ball was used in the 1999 Cricket World Cup but it behaved very unpredictably compared to the white Kookaburra ball. The white Dukes ball isn’t used a lot in international cricket. It’s mainly used in some domestic tournaments in England, Ireland and Scotland.

Kookaburra Turf White is also used in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It is made to be visible during the night matches. Its seam is not as prominent as the red and pink SG or Dukes cricket balls.

Cork ball vs Leather ball

The two main types of cricket balls are the cork ball and leather ball. The cork ball is made up of cork and strings. It’s not a very high-quality ball and is mainly used for training. It is cheaper compared to the leather ball. It doesn’t last long compared to the leather balls and also loses its shape quite early.

On the other hand, the leather ball is a cork ball with a leather covering, a prominent seam and a layer of sheen or lacquer. It’s better in quality, lasts longer and is used in international and top-level cricket. It holds its shape for a longer duration and has better bounce and control compared to the cork balls.

Now, let’s take up some frequently asked questions about types of cricket balls, their uses in different formats, and some other questions. To dive deeper into the materials used in making cricket balls, check out our detailed blog here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many types of cricket balls are there?

The answer to how many types of cricket balls are there is that there are primarily three types: red, white, and pink, each designed for specific cricket formats.

Every ball, as mentioned earlier, has its own characteristics according to the format of the game they are used in. Some have a thicker and heavier coating of lacquer to last longer, while some have a very prominent “seam” which helps the ball last longer.

What colour are cricket balls?

The leather ball used in top-level cricket comes in three colours. Red, pink and white.

Red: Used in Test matches for better visibility under natural light.
White: Used in ODIs and T20s for visibility under artificial lights.
Pink: Used in day-night Tests for enhanced visibility during twilight and under floodlights.

Which ball is used in Test cricket?

Red and pink balls like SG, Dukes, or Kookaburra are commonly used, depending on the location. The Dukes balls are mainly used in cricket matches played in England, Ireland, Scotland and the West Indies.

The Australian Kookaburra ball is the most used cricket ball in the world. India uses their own “SG” balls for test matches and first-class cricket played in India. Domestic white ball tournaments in India are also played with the SG ball.

Why red ball is used in Test cricket?

There many types of cricket balls but red balls are durable and retain their swing for long periods, making them ideal for matches lasting up to five days. They also don’t get stained in the cricket field and provide better viability during the day.

Which ball is used in international cricket?

Red Balls: SG (India), Dukes (England and West Indies), and Kookaburra (Australia and South Africa) for Tests.
White Balls: Kookaburra and SG for limited overs cricket.
Pink Balls: SG, Dukes, and Kookaburra for day-night Tests.

What are the names of the balls used in international cricket?

SG Ball: Used in India for Test cricket.
Dukes Ball: Used in England and the West Indies.
Kookaburra Ball: Used for Tests in Australia, South Africa, and most limited-overs formats worldwide.

Why do Test match balls have different colours?

The red ball is used for traditional daylight matches due to its visibility under natural light. The pink ball is used for day-night Tests to enhance visibility under artificial lights. Both red and pink cricket balls are made to last longer as test cricket is the longest format of the game. They also have a thicker and heavy coating of lacquer compared to the white balls. This makes the cricket balls last longer.

Why are white balls used in ODIs and T20s?

White balls are highly visible under floodlights and provide a vibrant viewing experience for spectators. They are specifically designed for shorter formats of cricket.

What are the differences between cork balls and leather balls?

Cork Balls: Lightweight, affordable, and used for practice or informal games.
Leather Balls: Durable, used in professional matches, and offer better swing and seam performance.

Which cricket ball swings the most?

The Dukes red ball is known for its pronounced seam and heavy lacquer, making it ideal for swing, especially in overcast conditions. The pink ball also swings a lot. These two types of cricket balls swing the most because of the layer of lacquer present on the ball. The layer of lacquer on these balls gets worn off after a few overs and the ball doesn’t get wear and tear till the lacquer goes off.

The ball swings a little more for a few overs after the lacquer goes off. The pink ball has a heavy coating lacquer compared to the red and white balls. The Dukes ball has a very prominent seam compared to other balls which helps the ball to swing and seam around quite a lot.

How are pink balls different from red balls?

Pink balls have a thicker, shinier lacquer than red balls, enhancing visibility under artificial lights while retaining similar swing and seam characteristics. The pink balls move around quite a lot compared to the red balls or white balls. The pink ball also skids off the surface because of the layer of lacquer present on the ball. The batters get less time to react and play in day-night test matches played with the pink balls.

Why are there two white balls used in ODIs?

In ODIs, two new white balls are used (one from each end) to maintain visibility and consistent performance throughout the 50 overs. The white ball gets stained in the outfield very quickly and it causes visibility issues for the batters. It’s a key reason why two white balls are used in One-Day International matches.

There’s a large section of fans and experts who believe that there should be only one ball used in limited overs (ODIs, T20Is and franchise cricket) matches. This is because the art of reverse swing has gone extinct in modern-day cricket. With only one ball, the bowlers will get reverse swing towards the end phase of an innings and it will make the game more competitive balancing the difference between bat and ball.

Choosing the Right Cricket Ball

Tips for Players:

- Beginners: Use cork balls for practice to avoid injury and improve control.

- Professionals: Opt for leather balls tailored to the format.

Maintenance Tips:

- Store in a dry, cool place to prevent warping.

- Polish leather balls regularly for swing retention and durability.

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of cricket balls and their specific features is essential for appreciating the nuances of international cricket. Each ball—whether it’s the traditional red ball used in Test cricket, the vibrant white ball for ODIs and T20s, or the innovative pink ball for day-night Tests—plays a pivotal role in shaping the game’s strategy and dynamics.

This guide answers the main question, ‘How many types of cricket balls are there’. It highlights the unique characteristics of red, white, and pink cricket balls and explains why certain balls are chosen for specific formats. Every detail enhances your understanding of the sport, from the test match ball colour to the unique qualities of SG, Dukes, and Kookaburra.

Whether you’re a player looking to select the right ball for your game or a fan eager to dive deeper into cricket’s intricacies, knowing the role of each cricket ball name enriches your appreciation of this beloved sport. We hope after reading this guide, you can answer if someone asks about how many types of cricket balls are there.