Cricket balls are probably the hardest ball to be used in any sport. They are definitely capable of causing serious or even fatal injuries to anyone struck by one, and are the main reason that batsmen will wear cricket helmets. So what is this material that makes cricket balls so hard, I hear you ask? Well, the core of cricket balls is made from cork, which is layered with string, and then covered with leather with a raised sewn seam. Thus, with a cork core, there is little in the way of cushioning when the cricket balls hit anything. This is mainly because the cricket balls need to be able to knock over the cricket stumps without fail; a softer ball might bounce off the wicket or not remove it entirely from its stumps. The weight of the cricket ball can vary but must be within certain parameters, and in women’s and junior cricket the balls are slightly smaller.

Cricket balls are dyed red, presumably to act as a warning to stay clear! But seriously, it is tradition. White balls were introduced when one-day matches started to get played at night under floodlights as they are more visible in floodlit conditions. As recently as July 2009, a pink ball was used for the first time in an international match when the England Women's team smashed Australia at Wormsley. When deciding to purchase your cricket ball, you will have to accept that they are notoriously expensive. A first class cricket ball will set you back a massive £70!