The game of cricket has evolved over time, and the color of the cricket balls has changed as well! Cricket matches are frequently played using various colored cricket balls. But what’s the distinction between the red, white, and pink cricket balls?
Before we get to know the difference, don’t forget to read how cricket balls are made.
Must Read: How is a Cricket Ball Made? Step-by-Step Process
Difference Between Red, White and Pink Cricket Balls
First, we will look at the difference between red and white balls.
What Is the Difference Between Red and White Cricket Balls?
Apart from the color difference, white balls are created in the same manner and from the same material as red balls. However, it is not just the color that distinguishes white balls from red balls. The following sections describe the differences between the two cricket balls:
1. Usage
White cricket balls are only utilized in Twenty-20 and One-Day matches, while red cricket balls are only utilized in Test and First-Class matches.
2. Visibility
Day or Night Games – The red balls are not suitable for night games since they turn yellowish under floodlights. White balls are far more visible. Furthermore, while watching a match on television, the white ball stands out wonderfully.
3. Longevity and Appearance
Red balls last longer than white balls. As a result, red cricket balls can be utilized for 80 overs or more. Because white cricket balls decay faster, they are better suited for limited-overs games.
4. Durability
White balls are more likely to get scratches and marks than red ones. A harder-wearing coating is added to the white balls to prevent them from becoming spoiled too quickly. Because of this coating, the white balls are slightly tougher than the red balls. And the white ball becomes smoother and more sparkly, contributing to more swing than the red ball.
Now, we will move on to the difference between red and pink balls.
What Is the Difference Between Red and Pink Cricket Balls –
While both balls are used in Test cricket, other than the color, there is a substantial difference between the two.
1. Color and leather processing
The primary distinction between the pink and red balls is the method by which the leather is prepared and the color is applied.
The color is added to red balls by dyeing them with red paint. The dying gives the red ball its color. While the vibrant color of the pink cricket balls is due to a pigment that is coated on the leather.
2. Game Visibility
Day or Night- The most obvious distinction between the pink and red balls is their visibility under floodlights.
Pink colored balls are substantially more visible under floodlights, making them ideal for night bouts. Red balls turn brownish, making them difficult to see and hence unsuitable for day-night test matches.
3. Color of thread
White threads are used for the seam on red cricket balls, while black threads are used for the seam on pink cricket balls.
4. Seam
The seam on the red ball is made entirely of synthetic material, but the seam on the pink ball is made of the right amount of both synthetic and linen.
5. Grip and dew effect
The linen in the pink ball seam absorbs dew and thus aids in greater grip.
6. The effect of coating
Red balls have wax coatings, but pink balls can’t have wax coatings because it would make the ball darker and harder to see under lights.
Pink balls are thus coated in PU (polyurethane). Polyurethane also protects the ball from scuffs and rust.
7. Bounce and swing
Red cricket balls swing and bounce well for the first 15 overs. Pink cricket balls, however, continue to swing and bounce well even after 40 overs. The PU covering on the pink ball is to blame for this. It is hard to take off and keeps the ball looking new for a long time.
Also Read: How to Swing a Cricket Ball? – Types & Variations of Swing Bowling Explained
Finally, let’s take a look at the difference between white and pink balls.
What is the Difference Between White and Pink Cricket Balls
There are more similarities than differences between white and pink balls. The game very recently adopted pink balls, whereas both colors were added for games played at night under floodlights.
1. Usage
Twenty-20 and One-Day games use white cricket balls, while Test matches that go on all day and night use pink cricket balls.
2. Game Visibility
Day or Night- Both balls are suitable for use at night under floodlights and are thus used for Day-Night games.
3. Longevity and appearance
Pink balls can be used during a Test match, which is the longer version of the game, since they are more resilient than white balls. Pink balls also maintain their color for a longer period of time than white balls, which, over time, get dirty or dull.
4. Seam
The seam on the white ball is more pointed and made entirely of synthetic material, while the seam on the pink ball is made of both synthetic and linen.
5. Grip and dew effect
Due to the use of linen in the seam, which absorbs dew, pink balls are more manageable than white balls when there is dew present.
6. The Effect of Coating
Pink balls have a PU (polyurethane) coat, whereas white balls have a harder-wearing coating to protect them from dirt and scuffs, making them slightly heavier. Pink balls, on the other hand, are less polished and weigh less than white balls.
Final Thoughts
Cricket is an entertaining sport. Even little adjustments to the rules and regulations might have a huge impact on the gameplay. The whole point of using a brightly colored ball was to alleviate the issue of visibility in sports played after dark. However, as the organization changes, so does the sport, and the specifics of this game-changing structure become considerably more exciting.
Other colored balls have been used in sports on occasion. During night games, yellow and orange-colored balls were used instead of white balls, but the color was rejected and has not been used since. The pink ball made its debut and is now preferred over all other balls. Bowlers have since learned to use a variety of balls to their advantage.
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