Cricket balls are essential for any cricket match. But what are these balls made of? And what makes them different from other batting sport balls like baseball?

What Are Cricket Balls Made Of?

On the surface (quite literally here), cricket balls kind of look like just any batting sports balls. A simple (though very finely made) ball wrapped in leather. And there’s not much else to it, it seems.

Maybe it’s just because we’re nosey like this, but that raises a few questions in our minds.

‘Are cricket balls the same as baseballs or tennis balls? If they are, what makes them different? How are they made? What’s inside of them?’

That’s a lot of questions for this little piece of cricket kit, and one that most people we’ve met, even cricket enthusiasts like us, can’t answer.

You’d think that, for such an important piece of cricket kit, people would know more about the answers to these questions!

So, if you’re a person who puzzles over these little details as much as us, stick around and check out this little guide that we’ve created. We’ll cover all the essential details, from how they’re made, to the things that set them apart from other similar types of balls, to what makes a cricket ball… well, a cricket ball!

What’s Inside A Cricket Ball?

So, let’s get the main question in the title out of the way first: What exactly is a cricket ball made of?

Well, a cricket ball can be divided into 2 parts:

• The Outer Layer
• The Inner Layer

Cricket Ball Outer Layer

The outer layer is coated in leather, which can come in both red and white. That’s something that most people will be aware of.

However, the leather itself has been treated to harden it, giving it that distinct, slightly plush feeling. The overall quality of the leather will have a big impact on the final quality of the ball.

In most high-end cricket balls, the leather is usually cut, stitched, tanned and fitted by hand, for the best possible results. (More on that in our ‘Key Cricket Ball Qualities’ section later)

Cricket Ball Inner Layer

So, what will you find if you cut open a cricket ball and look at the centre?

Well, firstly, you’ll have one heck of a knife to do that with! It takes a lot of effort to cut through hardened and treated leather!

But once you’ve cut through the outside, you’ll find an interesting breakdown of the many layers that go into these balls.

At the centre, you’ll find a core that is made from a combination of both cork and rubber, combining both the lightness of cork, with the strength of rubber.

Outside the core, you’ll find there is an additional layer of cork wrapped around it, which itself is covered in yarn. How much yarn depends on the manufacturer and size of the ball, but 5 is considered standard for most.

There’s also a layer of plastic over the yarn, to protect the inside of the ball from moisture damage.

How Cricket Balls Are Made

As you’d expect, making a cricket ball starts with making that rubber and cork core that we just talked about. The cork will come from a selected type of bark, that is then mixed and compressed with rubber into the golf ball-sized core.

Once the core has been made, this is where the extra corked layers will be added, then the yarn will be spun around the larger inner layers. Once the yarn is secure, the plastic cap would then be added on top of these layers, creating resistant inside the ball

Then comes the pretty leather outer layer. This will come from two separate sheets of leather that are cut into ovals that wrap around the inner layers. Each sheet is then sewn into the ball itself by a double seam, attaching the leather sheets even better to the ball.

Then, the two hemispheres will be stitched together (by hand in premium manufacturer’s cases), and the ball is sprayed in a layer of lacquer, for that glossy finish that new cricket balls have. It also helps add even more strength to the cricket ball.

Cricket Ball Qualities

That’s quite a process for making a simple cricket ball.

So, what does this method of manufacturing do for a cricket ball? What qualities does this process give it that makes it different from, say, a baseball?

Weight

The first thing that will stick out to anyone holding a baseball in one hand, and a cricket ball in the other, is weight.

Cricket balls can be as much as half a pound heavier than their baseball counterparts.

Colour

After noticing how heavy they are, the next difference that most people will notice is the colour differences between the two.

Baseballs are well known for their white leather and red stitching design. However, cricket balls come in a few different colours, the most popular being red/maroon leather with white stitching.

Size

Despite their heavier weight, cricket balls are slightly smaller than baseball.

Baseball has a circumference from 9 inches to 9 ¼ inches. Meanwhile, cricket ball manufacturing standards keep them between 8.8 to 9 inches.

It’s not a lot, but it’s noticeable if you’re looking at both next to each other.

Hardness

Then, of course, there is the hardness of each kind of ball. This tends to dictate how a ball acts when the batter has hit it.

Despite their smaller size, cricket balls are usually harder than baseballs. And that’s not by accident, either.

Cricket balls are, by design, supposed to be more difficult to predict the bounce and trajectory of. The added hardness makes following the ball after it’s been struck harder for fielders. Great for spectators and batters, in that way!

Plus, cricket games tend to last far longer than baseball games, sometimes taking 7 hours or more to finish. The cricket ball also needs to be able to stand up to that punishment!

Final Notes

So, there you have it!

Cricket balls are more complicated than they first appear. A lot of thought goes into how they are made, and what they are made from. All so that they can deliver the best possible performance on the pitch.

And, now that you’ve read through this guide, you’ll have a new appreciation of these little cricket kit pieces!

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