Well, from a hand-stitched ball made up of wood and cork used in the 16th century to the hard-seam balls used and manufactured in the modern cricket era, cricket balls have undoubtedly undergone a significant transformation over the past few decades that have left millions of cricket aficionados from all over the world absolutely stunned and have also played a crucial role in uplifting the stature of the game on a global level.
Over the past few decades, the game of cricket has witnessed an active inclusion of rare balls that have been used to play only special and a handful of matches. From the signature white cricket ball to the rare pink ball, cricket balls have proven to be a major part of the spine-chilling transformation of the game that has happened over the past few decades. Have you ever wondered about the top four rare balls that have been used only in special and limited matches? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will talk about the top four rare cricket balls that have been used only in special matches.
Top 4 Rare Balls Used Only in Special Matches
-
Pink Ball
The pink ball, which is a specially designed ball used mainly in day–night (D/N) Test matches, is at the first spot in our list of the top four most rare balls that have been used only in special matches till date. The pink ball was used for the first time internationally in 2015 during the test match between Australia and New Zealand. The iconic pink ball is usually made up of leather, quite similar to the red balls but certainly has extra layers of lacquer.
Read More
According to experts, the pink colour of the ball provides a great contrast against green pitches and dark skies during the matches. Moreover, since the ball is hand-stitched, it provides a greater swing and less spin. As of January 2026, numerous prominent cricket brands, including Kookaburra and Dukes, have manufactured the iconic pink ball for the most special matches. The pink ball easily lasts up to 80 overs of the test match and doesn’t wear out, making it one of the best viable options for both teams during the special match.
-
White Dukes Ball
At the second spot in our list of the top four most rare cricket balls that have been used only in special matches, we have the White Dukes ball which was used for the first time during the 1999 Cricket World Cup. As of January 2026, the White Dukes ball is used in ODIs and T20s, where matches are generally shorter and are played under the lights, making it easier to see the ball.
Read More
According to reports, the White Dukes ball is manufactured with high-quality English leather which is traditionally hand-stitched and is coated with protective lacquer to prevent discolouration and wear. As per experts, the White Dukes ball has a shorter swing window as compared to the traditional red balls and also provides a limited reverse swing. The White Dukes ball is often hailed as one of the most dominant strengths of the swing and seam bowlers on the field.
-
Orange Ball
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four most rare balls that have been used only in special matches till date, we have the iconic Orange ball, which has been an active inclusion in international formats like the Hong Kong Sixes tournament. The orange ball is typically used to tackle major visibility issues, especially against certain backgrounds or lighting. The orange balls are comparatively easier to spot during dusk or cloudy conditions.
Although the orange ball has never been a part of the major formats of international cricket, including tests, ODIs and T20Is, it has been an invisible part of domestic leagues, exhibition matches, and trials over the past few years. The orange ball offers a conventional swing and doesn’t usually swing more under lights. Additionally, the orange ball retains a better grip as compared to the red or white balls, which becomes a major strength for the swing bowlers in the most crucial matches.
-
Red Ball
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four most rare cricket balls that have been used only in special matches, we have the red ball, which was earlier used in the limited-over cricket format before the white ball became the ultimate standard. The history of the red ball dates back to 1971 when the first-ever One-Day International (ODI) match was played between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on 5 January 1971.
The red balls were used when the ODI matches were played only during the daylight hours without any visibility issues. However, gradually as the game transformed, the red balls were phased out due to multiple factors, including the introduction of floodlights, coloured jerseys of players and numerous broadcasting demands. The red ball was used for the last time on 14 December 2000 during the match between India and Zimbabwe before being permanently replaced by the white ball.
