Difference between Red, White & Pink Cricket Balls- Explained

Ever since ‘’The Gentleman’s Game” was introduced, the game has witnessed changes, with new rules being implemented that have been mind-boggling.

The game has witnessed a lot more excitement since the T20 format was introduced, and there has been a debate that the game has tilted slightly in favour of the batters since then.

Alongside this, the game has witnessed the introduction of the pink ball. Earlier matches were played with red balls. Later, white balls were introduced in the ODI format and also in T20Is.

Green balls were also used in some games. Yellow and orange-coloured balls were also used, but they were rejected as they weren’t visible under floodlights.

Later on, pink balls were introduced as they were easily visible when the floodlights were on. When the floodlights are on, the red balls aren’t visible, as they become brownish after some time.

Another factor is that when the red balls become brownish, they aren’t visible as their colour matches with that of the pitch, and hence white and pink balls are used when the matches are played under the lights.

We take a look at the difference between all three balls:

Difference Between Red & White Balls

Earlier, only red balls were used, even in the ODI format, but after the ODI format got more fast-paced, white balls were introduced. After the advent of T20 cricket, the game got all the more exciting.

ODI and T20 matches were later held under the lights, and it was easily visible for players as well as the viewers under the lights, due to which white balls were used in ODI and T20 formats.

The weight of the red and white balls is the same. Some experts claim that the white balls possess an extra coat of polish that helps it to swing and shine more than the red ball. The finishing of the white ball is smoother, which makes it harder than the red ball.

Kookaburra, one of the biggest manufacturers of cricket balls, bats, and even other sporting equipment, has stated that the manufacturing process for both of these balls is the same except for the fact that white balls are polished more and different leather materials are used for the two balls.

Difference Between Red & Pink Balls

The process of manufacturing both balls is the same, but red balls are stitched with white thread and pink balls are stitched with black thread.

On the red ball, wax is applied, due to which it gets a cherry colour and helps the bowlers get reverse swing. The wax makes the pink ball turn black, which is why a PU-based coat is used on the pink ball to make it look bright.

The seam of the pink ball is hard, helping the bowlers grip it easily, and it is made up of linen and synthetic, while the seam of the red ball is synthetic.

Both balls are manufactured keeping in mind their usage, as red balls are used in games that end before sunset and pink balls are used for day-night Tests.

Difference Between White & Pink Balls

The introduction of both balls was due to their visibility. The pink balls have been recently introduced.

The grip of the white ball is synthetic and hard, helping to grip the ball easily, while the seam of the pink ball is a mix of linen and synthetic.

The white balls require more polishing and coating, unlike the pink balls, making them heavier and their surface smoother, helping bowlers extract swing. Pink balls are less polished, due to which they swing more than the white balls.

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