Cricket Leather ball weight: Official standards for men’s and women’s cricket

Did you know that cricket is the only major sport without a fixed playing field size? All the other sports, say badminton , volleyball, football etc. have precise dimensions of their playing area but the cricket field has no such regulations! Of course, there are guidelines about the pitch, but not about the ground! The size and shape of the ground varies from venue to venue. It can be as big as The Lord’s Cricket Ground and can be as small as Arun Jaitley Stadium! Hence, cricket is a vague sport when it comes to field dimension!

Interestingly, the law makers weren’t this lenient about other dimensions, say, like the height of the stump, or the circumference of the ball! Hence, today we decided to talk about one such regulation: the weight and dimensions of a cricket leather ball! 

Leather balls are the balls in which professional cricket is played. They are meticulously hand stitched by craftsmen and hence are a masterpiece itself! Now, you must be wondering what goes inside a concrete leather ball. Well, here’s your answer!

What are leather balls made of?

Following is the step wise guide on how a leather ball is made, how a piece of leather is artistically crafted into a piece of ball:

• Selection of leather: The first and foremost step is selecting the best quality leather as that will be the heart and soul of the ball. 
• Preparing cork: A cork is prepared in perfect round shape around which the whole skeleton of the ball lies.
• Wool winding: The cork is wrapped with several layers of wool and cotton so that the size of the ball increases and the ball gets some volume.
• Leather cutting: The leather which was meticulously selected is now put around the wool structure.
• Stitching the four quarters: The four pieces of leather are stitched with hands, providing proper shape to the ball,
• Polishing and finishing: After the ball has been stitched, it is polished and stamped and is now ready to be sold. 

Cricket leather ball: Variations 

In our previous blog we discussed various leather balls and how each variation has a different behaviour, how the red, white and pink leather balls behave and in which format they are used. But today, we will dive deeper as we’ll throw light on the dimensions and weight of each ball! 

Did you know that men’s cricket and women’s cricket use different balls? Both the balls have different weight, and hence both the varieties behave differently. Here is a grid that can help you understand better:

Comparison: leather ball in men’s cricket Vs women’s cricket 

What are ICC regulations on cricket leather balls?  

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the governing body of cricket in the world. It states all the rules and regulations which all the members have to diligently follow. As per their guidelines, the ball dimensions and weight are as follows:

• As per the ICC regulation 4.1, the ball when new, shall weigh not less than 5.5 ounces, nor more than 5.75 ounces, and shall measure not less than 8.81 in, nor more than 9 inches in circumference. This specification applies to men’s cricket only.
• As per the ICC regulation 4.6, the ball when new, shall not weigh less than 4.49 ounces, nor more than 5.31 ounces, and shall measure not less than 8.25 in, not more than 8.88 inches in circumference. This specification applies to women’s cricket. 
• As per the ICC regulations 4.6.2, the ball when new, shall not weigh less than 4.69 ounces, nor more than 5.06 ounces, and shall measure not less than 8.06 in, not more than 8.69 inches in circumference. This specification applies to junior cricket. 

Which leather ball should you choose? 

It is recommended for players to use the ball that best matches with the above stated dimensions and weights. Any compromise here can severely affect one’s performance in the match. Let’s say you are a woman cricketer who regularly practices with a men’s size ball as that is easily available. Now, when you’ll step for a match, you might find it difficult to grip the smaller ball and hence you may not be able to deliver with the best of potential, like you do in practice sessions and hence a lot of gap would come between practice results and match results. Hence, to avoid this, it is recommended that you use the right ball. 

Apart from size, it is also important to use the right colour of the ball. If you are preparing for Ranji Trophy, practice with red leather ball, and if you are preparing for Vijay Hazare Trophy or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, you should be practicing with white ball. Thus, the ideal ball depends on the format of the game you are preparing. By being mindful about these small details, you will align your efforts and that eventually will make you an impactful player! Hence, it is suggested that you use the right ball every time, as each session counts! 

Conclusion 

In this blog, we tried to explain about the making of leather balls, the difference in balls used in men’s, women’s and junior cricket and the importance of using the right ball for smart practice. We understand that when a player wants to excel, they need to take care of every minute detail in their session and hence, with this blog we tried to bring clarity in the minds of all the young cricketers who are still perplexed on how best they can conduct their sessions. Selecting the appropriate ball ensures optimal performance and a better cricketing experience. Thus, with these guidelines, you can become a more aware and informed player! 

FAQs

Q: Can junior players use women’s size balls?

No, junior players should not use women’s size balls as that will be bigger for them. 

Q: Are women's size balls used in domestic circuits as well?

Yes, women’s size balls are used in domestic circuits as well.

Q: Is it easier to hit in women’s cricket than men’s cricket if the ball is much lighter?

No, since the difference in weight is of few grams, it is equally tough to hit like in men’s cricket.

Q: Which balls are used in domestic and international cricket?

In domestic circuit, SG or Kookaburra balls are used and in International circuit SG, Kookaburra and Dukes balls are used. 

Q: What is the price of a good leather ball for women’s cricket?

The price varies as per the quality. However, you can get a good women’s size leather ball starting at INR 350.

Q: Which leather ball is most durable?

Red leather ball is most durable.