Do You Know, Who Invented Cricket Ball? Check Out The Story!

The game of cricket was invented in South East England in the middle of the 16th century, and as the British Empire grew, it spread throughout the world. The first international cricket matches were played in the second part of the 19th century. A bat and a ball are two of the essential elements needed to play the game of cricket. Balls have seen little changes over the years, compared to bats, which have seen numerous advancements and revisions. A cricket ball is a nine-inch (23 cm)-diameter, rigid, leather-covered, seam-seamed spheroid. According to cricket’s rules, premium cricket balls must be made by sewing together six rows of leather, string, and cork in the interior of the ball.

Who invented the cricket ball?

The earliest manufactured cricket balls are thought to have been produced between 1760 and 1841 by several Duke family members operating a cottage industry at Redleaf Hill near Penshurst, Kent. King George IV granted Duke and Son the Royal Patent for their cricket balls in 1775. The first six-seam cricket ball was created by them and used during the 1780 cricket season. The cricket ball-making family Duke & Son also had a significant role in the history and genesis of the sport, and cricket promptly emerged as a popular activity in the Weald of Kent and Sussex.

Duke balls fell out of favour in Australia after World War II, and the Thompson family-owned business Kookaburra was awarded a contract with the Australian Cricket Board. Compared to their red balls, Kookaburra’s white balls are currently more prevalent on the market. Additionally, they are the world’s largest producer of cricket balls. Sanspareils Greenlands, popularly known as SG, a company established in India, began producing cricket balls in 1931. SG balls, invented by Brothers Kedarnath and Dwarakanath Anand, are smaller and more compact than Kookaburra balls. Since 1994, SG balls have been used for home tests in India.

Cricket ball: Weight and dimensions

British Standard BS 5993, which examines the size, quality, construction materials, and performance of cricket balls, governs cricket ball manufacturing. The weight of the cricket balls should range from 5 oz to 6 oz, according to the initial cricket regulation from 1744. But in the 1770s, the ball’s weight was decreased from 5 to 5.75 ounces. Additionally, the ball’s circumference should range from 8.8125 to 9 inches. Currently, Dukes, Kookaburra, and SG are the three international cricket ball manufacturers. While SG and Kookaburra balls are favored in certain other cricket-playing countries, England and the West Indies primarily use Dukes balls.

Also Read: History And Evolution Of Cricket Balls: From The 18th Century To Today