Colin Spiro
 Dimensions
The traditional cricket ball (left) is red and shall weigh no less than 155.9g and no more than 163g. It should measure a minimum of 22.4cm in circumference and a maximum of 22.9cm. It is made of leather with a cork core (below right) and flax seam.
 The bowling team starts each innings with a new ball and in Test cricket that can be replaced with another new ball every 80 overs – it is 75 in county cricket - while in day-night cricket a white version has been developed to make it easier to see.
The specifications change for women's cricket and junior cricket, becoming smaller and lighter.
In women's cricket the weight can range from 140g-151g and the circumference from 21cm-22.5cm. In junior cricket the stipulation is 133g-144g and 20.5cm-22cm.
General
All balls used in the match have to be approved beforehand by the umpires and the captains.
There are various makes of balls used in Test cricket: Dukes keep their shine longer; Kookaburra's have a prouder seam and are used in Australia, while Indian made balls are generally harder wearing.
Occasionally a ball will go out of shape during an innings and it can then be exchanged for a spare one of similar age and wear. Bowlers sometimes claim it has gone out of shape in an attempt to change a ball that is not helping them at all.
 Wear and tear
A new ball (left) can be claimed by the fielding side after 80 overs with the old one. The one on the far left is probably about 50 overs old. The dryness of the pitch and outfield determines how quickly the ball detriorates.
Bowlers shine the ball to maintain its condition, using sweat or saliva on one side to help it swing. Using any other substance – eg sun cream or vaseline – is forbidden. A number of lighter cricket balls have been developed in recent years to help encourage youngsters to take up the game without fear of being hurt by a full size adult ball. These have included some made of a rubber and air compound material (above right).
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