Cricket Ball Types: Red, White and Pink Balls Compared
How red, white and pink cricket balls differ, where each is used, and why Dukes, Kookaburra and SG balls behave differently in Tests, ODIs and T20s.
A cricket ball is more than a leather sphere. Its colour, construction and seam affect how it swings, bounces and turns, and different formats of the game use different balls. Understanding the differences between red, white and pink balls explains many of the tactical choices in modern cricket.
What goes into a cricket ball
Every standard cricket ball has the same basic design. A core made of cork is wrapped in layers of tightly wound string and then covered by leather, which is stitched together. A raised seam of stitching runs around the middle. The Laws of Cricket specify the weight and size of the ball, which for men’s cricket is between about 155.9 and 163 grams, with a circumference of roughly 22.4 to 22.9 centimetres.
The red ball
The red ball is the traditional choice for Test matches and first-class cricket. Its dark leather and pronounced seam help the ball swing and seam in the early overs, and as it wears it can offer movement off the pitch or reverse swing. A red ball is designed to last a long time, since a new ball is available only after a set number of overs in a Test.
The white ball
White balls were introduced for limited-overs cricket so that they could be seen more easily under floodlights and against dark sightscreens and clothing. They came to prominence in the late 1970s with World Series Cricket, which staged day-night matches with coloured clothing. White balls tend to deteriorate faster than red ones, and their lacquer wears away quickly, which affects how much they swing as an innings goes on.
In One Day Internationals, bowlers have used two white balls per innings, one from each end, although the playing conditions on ball usage have been adjusted over the years. In Twenty20 matches a single white ball is used per innings unless it is replaced.
The pink ball
The pink ball was developed for day-night Test cricket, in which play continues under lights. A red ball can be hard to pick up in the evening, and a white ball loses its shape and colour too quickly for a five-day match, so a pink ball was chosen as a compromise. The first day-night Test was played in Adelaide in November 2015 between Australia and New Zealand.
Players have often remarked that the pink ball moves more during twilight and under lights, and that it can be harder for batters to judge. As a result, the first session after dusk is often regarded as a challenging time to bat.
Dukes, Kookaburra and SG
Three manufacturers dominate Test cricket, and each tends to be used in particular countries. The Dukes ball is used in England and is known for a prominent, hand-stitched seam that assists swing and seam movement. The Kookaburra ball, made in Australia, has a flatter, machine-stitched seam and is used in several nations, including Australia and New Zealand; it tends to lose its hardness as it ages, so bowlers must work harder. The SG ball is used in India and has a thick, hand-sewn seam that can help spinners as the ball wears.
Keeping the ball in condition
Fielders may polish one side of the ball with sweat to keep it shiny, which creates the asymmetry that bowlers use for swing. The use of saliva was permanently banned in international cricket in 2022. Deliberately altering the condition of the ball with objects or substances is ball tampering, and it is punishable under the Laws.
Why it matters
The choice of ball is one of the main reasons the same bowler can have very different returns in different formats and countries. Each type rewards different skills, and it is part of what makes cricket so varied.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a pink ball used in day-night Tests?
A pink ball is easier to see under floodlights than a red one and holds its colour better over several days than a white ball.
What is the difference between Dukes, Kookaburra and SG balls?
They are made by different manufacturers and used in different countries. Dukes balls have a prominent hand-stitched seam, Kookaburra balls have a flatter machine-stitched seam and SG balls have a thick seam that helps spin.
Why are white balls used in limited-overs cricket?
White balls are easier to see against dark backgrounds and under lights, which suits day-night limited-overs matches.