Where to Buy Cricket Balls?

Wondering where to buy cricket balls? Maxx Pro Boxing has you covered – read this article to learn everything you need to know.

Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world, with countries like India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Australia being just some of the biggest players across the globe. However, even in the UK, cricket has never lost its popularity, and more and more people are taking up the sport to better their fitness, make friends, and enjoy the outdoors.

But – where to buy cricket balls? If you are thinking of taking up this sport, or you’re already a seasoned player, getting your hands on the right equipment can make all the difference.

If you want to know where to buy cricket balls, then you’re in luck, because we’ve got everything you could possibly need.

About Cricket

Cricket is a sport made up of two teams of competing sides. Most games have 11 players each and are played out on a cricket field or grounds, but it can be played with as few as two people anywhere you like, from your garden to a car park (or even indoors).

The game usually starts with a coin toss to decide which team bats first and the other goes into the field. This is decided by the cricket captain that wins the toss.

Both teams will bat and field, and batting is done in pairs, with one batter on each end of the wicket. The wicket can be used to refer to the stumps themselves (three vertical wooden posts placed beside each other with two smaller sticks or bails lying on top) on either end, the length between them (22 yards or roughly 20 metres), or when the game is dismissed by the batsman.

Runs are scored by the batting side, where the players sprint up the length of the wicket. The team will bat until 10 players are either dismissed by the fielding side or when they have completed their overs, then the fielding team will bat.

At the end of the game, the team with the most runs wins.

How Many Cricket Balls Are Used in a Game?

The number of balls used in any one game of cricket varies depending on the type of match. In a T20, there are 120 legal balls, but this doesn’t correlate to the number of separate balls that are actually used.

A cricket ball will keep being used until it is no longer suitable for the sport. As an example, in T20, a ball usually won’t be replaced unless it gets damaged, lost, or excessively worn to the extent where it will impact the game before the end of the innings.

In Test Cricket, however, it isn’t unusual for a ball to be replaced after 80 overs have been bowled. This is to ensure that the condition of the ball doesn’t negatively impact the game, and that it is as fair as possible to the two teams as they take turns fielding and batting.

What Are Cricket Balls Made Of?

Cricket balls have a cork core that then gets wound up tightly in string. This string layer gets governed in a leather case, and a raised sewn seam is put in place.

The exact manufacturing process from the primary cricket ball manufacturers is a close-kept secret, but there will be limited differences. Overall, the most common cork used for these balls comes from the Portuguese Cork Oak, which get delivered in sheets that are then ground down and moulded.

Once the cork is moulded, the inner core will be covered by more cork slices, or even leather, which will get pressed and glued down over the core to give the ball the correct density and shape. When the glue is dry, the cores are clamped and worsted yarn is tightly wound around them to give the ball the correct bounce.

Next, leather (typically from cows, but occasionally from ox or buffalo) will be stitched onto the ball, either in two or four pieces. Once the stitching is complete, each one gets a nitrocellulose spray to add strength and make the leather nice and shiny.

The final touch is the stamp of press of the manufacturer, then the balls are quality tested and sent out into the world.

Are There Different Types of Cricket Balls?

There are a few different types of cricket balls to be aware of, and three different colours – white, pink, and red. However, there are limited differences between the balls that the three main companies (Dukes, SG, and Kookaburra) manufacture due to strict guidelines outlined in Law 4.1 of the Laws of Cricket.

A cricket ball needs to weigh between 155.9g and 163g, and the circumference has to be between 22.4–22.9cm. So, despite the well-known manufacturers being at the top of their game, these rules mean that a good cricket ball can be manufactured by other companies – like us.

Are They Expensive?

The price of cricket balls varies, with training balls being as little as £5, while International match balls can go for £100 or more.

At Maxx Pro Boxing, we offer high-quality cricket balls starting at £8, and thanks to their durability, you won’t need to buy a new one any time soon.

What Makes a Good Cricket Ball?

When looking for the perfect cricket ball, there are telltale signs to keep an eye out for if you want a high-quality ball. Let’s take a quick look below:

• Roughly 80 stitches along the circumference of the balls
• Stitches are much finer than lower-quality balls
• The core layers used
• 4-piece balls are best for matches

Where to Buy Cricket Balls?

While there are hundreds of sports shops that sell cricket balls, quality varies, and sometimes you don’t know what you are going to get. Anyone – whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete – will want something quality, and something that will last.

At Maxx Pro Boxing, our cricket balls are perfect for matches and training. They are 4 piece, hand stitched balls with a 4 layer quilted core, and each ball is waxed and finished for English standards.

Our balls are made from tanned steer hide with fine linen stitching, and will last up to 50 overs – more than enough to get you ready for your game.

We have white, pink, and red balls, as well as yellow indoor balls for all of your playing and practising needs. For anyone playing day-night cricket, pink balls are best for visibility, and red balls are ideal for white clothing cricket.

Which Ball for Which Match?

Today, different coloured balls will be used for different kinds of matches for safety purposes. However, this was not always the case, and red balls were originally used for all matches until around 1971 when ODI cricket was introduced.

Despite the red being a classic, safety always comes first, and using the correct coloured ball is crucial, as is wearing the correct clothing.

Below are the different ball colours and when they are typically used:

• White ball – primarily used in T20 and ODIs due to lower lighting. Using a red ball under floodlights can be dangerous and lead to injuries.
• Red ball – usually used in test matches where the sport is played during the day when the lighting is optimal. This is the original colour of the cricket ball.
• Pink ball – ideal for day-night cricket where visibility can be low and red balls can be difficult to spot
• Yellow ball – these are ideal for indoor cricket matches

Get Your Kit at Maxx Pro Boxing

Any cricket player needs to have their own cricket balls for practice, and there are lots of options to choose from around you. However, if you are looking for quality, then our cricket balls are a great place to get your first set to start your cricketing journey.

If you’re a cricket player, find out what equipment you need, where you can buy your equipment, and if you need anything different for outdoor cricket. We also have articles covering why a yorker is called a yorker, what you should know before buying a cricket set, and what cricket trousers are called – all to make your life easier.

If you were wondering where to buy cricket balls, now you have your answer – us! Check out our collection, and get your professional gear shipped to you.