Decoding International Cricket Ball Weight: Understanding the ICC Rules

A cricket ball is a hard ball that is used in the game of cricket. It is made up of red or white leather, cork, and string. It is heavier than a baseball. It is very important to determine the accurate weight of a cricket ball for the perfect gameplay and experience of the game.

The international cricket ball weight is regulated by the International Cricket Council (ICC).  All the balls used for international matches are first checked by the officials of the ICC. Every time, before the match starts, the balls are checked by the umpired and the match referee.

For test matches, the second new ball is available after 80 overs. While in the ODI 2 new balls are given at the beginning of the innings and in T20, just 1 ball is given at the beginning of the innings. The umpires have a machine, called ball guage with 2 rings to check the balls. A ball fit for playing should go through just 1 ring and restrict at the other.

International Cricket Ball Weight – ICC

ICC Guidelines

• According to ICC, only a 4-piece leather ball should be used for the matches.
• The weight of the ball should be 155.9 gm. to 163 gm.
• The circumference of the ball should be 22.4 cm to 22.9 cm.

Weight Varies According to the Format of the Game:

1. Test – 155.9 – 160g
2. ODI – 155.9 – 163g
3. T20I – 162 – 163g

• The cricket board of the home team should inform the opposite team about the shape and size of the ball and which ball is to be used at least 30 days before the tour is started. The size of the ball should be approved by the ICC.
• Before the match is started, the captains of both teams choose the ball for bowling and handover it to the umpire.
• When the game is stopped or paused due to any reason (wicket, injury, drinks break) the ball is given to the umpire.

Test Matches

Red Ball – The weight of the red ball is between 155.9g to 160g. The circumference of the ball is about 22.4cm to 22.9cm. This weight allows the ball to swing and come to the bat nicely.

Pink Ball – The pink ball is only used to play day-night test matches. The weight of the pink ball is the same as the red ball, that is 159.9g to 160g. It has better visibility and better swing under the lights due to atmospheric conditions.

ODI and T20I

The shorter formats like ODI and T20I are played from the white ball. The weight of the white ball is between 155.9g to 163g and the circumference is the same 22.4cm to 22.9cm. It gives better visibility under the floodlights for night matches.

History and Evolution of Cricket Ball

Early development of cricket balls

Earlier, only the red ball was used in all game formats. The red ball was supposed to swing when it was new and reverse swing when it got old. Soon it was found that there was some visibility problem with the red ball and as a result, the white ball was introduced in 1977. White ball and colored uniforms became a common part of the ODI format after World Series Cricket.

Changes in International Cricket Ball over Time

• Earlier the cricket balls weighed around 200-220 grams. Because of the heavyweight, it was difficult to bowl at a high speed. Later as the game progressed the weight of the ball was reduced.
• After several problems faced because of the weight of the ball, the standard weight of the ball was established. The standard weight was 155g – 160g which is used even today in the matches.
• In 1977, when white balls were introduced for the limited overs, it was felt that the weight of these balls should be reduced. So the weight of balls used in limited overs was reduced to 150g.
• When the pink balls were introduced, their weight was heavier than the red balls since it was used at night and required more shine and visibility.

Factors Influencing Cricket Ball Weight

Manufacturing Materials

Core Material (Cork) – The innermost part of a ball is made up of cork. A small spherical cork is taken. The weight of the ball depends upon the type of cork used. It is attached to a string tightly. It is also surrounded by rubber for extra hardness.

Outer Layer (Leather) – The leather is the exterior part of the ball that is used to cover the cork and the ball and gives it shape and size. The weight of the ball depends upon the type of leather used. Cow leather is mostly used, however, there are cases in which Ox as well as buffalo leather are used in manufacturing.

Manufacturing Process

1. Cleaning, Colouring, and polishing leather
2. Cutting leather into small pieces
3. Internal stitching of pieces
4. Forming the inner core of the ball
5. Assembling cork and the leather pieces
6. External stitching of the ball
7. Final polishing of the ball

Climate and Playing Conditions

If the match is played under overcast conditions, then it will help the ball to swing a bit more as compared to normal conditions. If the ground is wet due to rain or there is dew then the ball will also get wet. When the ball gets wet, its weight is increased and the smoothness is lost. As a result, it becomes difficult to bowl with the wet ball. When the ball is wet then it will be difficult to spin or swing it, however, it will skid more.

Impact of Ball Weight on Gameplay

Bowling Perspective

For pace bowlers, the weight of the ball is important if the ball is heavier then they’ll need to put extra effort to release the ball, and bowling with a heavy ball decreases accuracy. Whereas a lighter ball is easy to release and bowl accurately.

For swing and seam bowlers, the weight of the ball is important if the ball is light then it will have more swing but if the ball is heavy then they have to put extra effort to swing the ball. Thus, the weight of the ball has a huge impact on the bowlers.

Batting Perspective

The weight of the ball is also important from a batsman’s point of view. If the ball is heavy then the batsman will require more strength and effort to hit the ball. Whereas if the ball is light, then it is easy for the batsman to hit the ball with timing and accuracy.

However, if the ball is heavy then it’ll not spin or swing more so it will be easy for the batsman to score runs.

Key Points

• A cricket ball is made up of cork, twine, and leather.
• There are different types of balls used in international cricket:

1. White – ODI and T20
2. Red – Test and domestic
3. Pink – Day-Night test match

• The weight of the international cricket ball is between 155.9g to 163g.
• The circumference of the ball is around 22.4cm to 22.9cm.
• The guidelines and the regulations of the ball are made by ICC.
• The weight of the ball has a huge impact on the gameplay as well as on both bowlers and batsmen.

FAQs about International Cricket Ball Weight