Cricket Ball Buying Guide: Weights, Types and Which Ball to Use

Choosing a cricket ball comes down to three questions: who is playing, where you are playing, and whether it's for a match or for training. Senior men's cricket uses a 156g ball. Women's and girls' cricket, and most boys' junior cricket up to about Under 13, uses a 142g ball. Young beginners, backyard games and indoor training often use softer balls. If you're buying for a club match, always check which ball your competition uses first.

We stock cricket balls from Kookaburra, Gray-Nicolls, SS, MRF, Aero and more at Western Sports Centre in Derrimut. Here's how to pick the right one.

Quick picks

See our full range of cricket balls for current stock.

What weight ball do I need?

Under Cricket Australia's junior formats, the ball gets heavier as players get older:

• Under 10 and Under 11: a modified, lighter ball, usually a soft or synthetic ball.
• Under 12 and Under 13: a 142g hard or leather ball, for boys and girls.
• Under 14 and older: a 156g leather ball for boys, and a 142g leather ball for girls.
• Senior cricket: 156g for men's cricket, 142g for women's cricket.

Some associations set their own rules, so check with your club or competition before you buy. Shop 156g balls or 142g balls.

2-piece or 4-piece?

• 4-piece balls are made from four pieces of leather, with a raised main seam and a stitched seam around the middle. They hold their shape and seam longer and are the standard for senior turf matches.
• 2-piece balls are made from two pieces of leather joined by the main seam. They cost less and are great for training, juniors and lower-grade matches.

If you're unsure, use 2-piece balls for training and keep 4-piece balls for match day.

Red, white or pink?

• Red is the traditional ball for most club matches and multi-day cricket with players in whites.
• White is used in shorter formats where players wear coloured clothing, because it's easier to see against a dark background.
• Pink is mostly used for day-night matches.

Your competition decides the colour for matches. For more on how red and white balls behave, read Which Cricket Ball Swings More: Red or White?

Turf or synthetic pitch?

Hard, abrasive synthetic pitches scuff leather balls quickly. Balls made for synthetic wickets, like the Kookaburra Red King, are built to last longer on them. Save your best match balls for turf if you can.

Soft and safety balls

Soft balls are perfect for young kids, backyard and beach cricket, and training without full protective gear. They bounce like a cricket ball but hurt much less.

• Young kids: the Kookaburra Softaball Junior, Kookaburra Star Softball Junior or Gray-Nicolls Poly Soft.
• Safety balls: the Aero Club and Match Safety Balls come in Junior and Senior sizes. They feel closer to a real ball but are safer to play with.
• Soft training: the Gray-Nicolls Wonderball is a soft practice ball that's great for catching and batting drills.

Planning a backyard game? Read our backyard cricket guide.

Indoor cricket balls

Indoor cricket uses its own ball. It's softer than a leather ball, usually yellow, and built to bounce well on indoor surfaces. Try the Gray-Nicolls Ultimate Indoor or MRF Indoor Match Ball. See all indoor cricket balls, or come and play social indoor cricket with us in Derrimut.

Training and skill balls

• Bowling machine balls: use the ball your machine is made for. Leather balls can damage some machines. We stock the Kookaburra Bowling Machine Ball, plus Feed Buddy balls and Practice Partner balls for Hitman 45 machines.
• Cricket tennis balls: great for throwdowns and fielding drills. Try the Gray-Nicolls Cricket Tennis Ball, or the heavy version for more bounce and pace.
• Skill balls: help bowlers learn swing and spin. Try the Kookaburra Super Coach Swinger, Kookaburra Super Spinner or the Gray-Nicolls Skill Bowling Pack.
• Lighter junior training balls: the Gray-Nicolls Seamer Ball and Crest Academy balls weigh 130g, good for young bowlers moving up to a hard ball.

Want to practise against a bowling machine? We have training lanes and bowling machines at our indoor training centre in Derrimut.

Looking after your cricket balls

• Keep match balls for matches. Use older balls or practice balls for training.
• Don't leave leather balls wet. Wipe them dry and let them dry naturally, away from heat.
• Avoid hitting good leather balls on concrete or rough surfaces.
• Store balls in a bag or box, out of direct sun.

Frequently asked questions

What weight cricket ball do women use?

Women's and girls' cricket uses a 142g ball at all levels.

When do boys move up to a 156g ball?

Under Cricket Australia's junior formats, boys move to a 156g leather ball from Under 14. Check with your association, as some competitions differ.

Which ball does my club use?

Many associations name a specific match ball. Ask your club, or bring the details into the shop and we'll help you find it.

Can I use a leather ball in a bowling machine?

Only if the machine is designed for it. Many machines need a special machine ball, so check your machine's instructions.

Which Kookaburra ball should I buy?

Read our Kookaburra cricket balls guide for a breakdown of the range.

Need a hand?

Come into Western Sports Centre in Derrimut and we'll help you find the right ball for your club, school or backyard. Or shop cricket balls online. Kitting out a junior? Read our cricket bat buying guide too.