Which Cricket Ball Swings More: Red or White?

A new white ball usually swings more than a new red ball, but only for the first few overs. The white ball has a thick, glossy coating to protect its colour, which helps it swing early. That coating wears off quickly, though, and the white ball soon goes soft and stops swinging. A red ball swings for longer, keeps its shape better, and can reverse swing later in the innings once one side is worn.

So the short answer: white swings more at the start; red swings for longer. Here's why, and what it means for club cricketers.

Red ball vs white ball at a glance

Why does a cricket ball swing?

A ball swings when air flows differently over its two sides. Bowlers keep one side shiny and let the other get rough, then bowl with the seam angled. Air moves smoothly past the shiny side and more roughly past the other, which pushes the ball sideways through the air.

Later in the innings, when the rough side is very worn, the ball can swing the other way. This is called reverse swing, and it usually needs a fast bowler and an older ball.

Why the white ball swings early

A red ball is dyed, then polished. A white ball is painted and given a thick, shiny coating so it stays white and easy to see. When it's new, that hard, glossy surface helps it swing. Once the coating chips and wears off, the white ball gets scuffed and soft quickly, and the swing goes.

That's one reason why, in one-day internationals, a new white ball is used from each end, so neither ball has to last the whole innings.

What else affects swing?

• Weather: swing bowlers love cloudy, humid days. Hot, dry and sunny conditions make swing harder.
• The seam: an upright, firm seam helps the ball swing and seam off the pitch. Some brands have a more raised seam than others.
• Looking after the ball: the fielding side keeps the shiny side clean and polished. A poorly looked-after ball swings less.
• The bowler: grip, wrist position and an upright seam at release matter more than anything else.

What this means for club and junior cricket

In club cricket, the type of ball often matters more than the colour.

• Four-piece (4pc) balls are made from four pieces of leather, with a raised main seam and a quarter seam. They're the match balls used in most turf competitions and hold their shape well, like the Kookaburra Regulation 4 Piece.
• Two-piece (2pc) balls are made from two halves. They're tougher and cost less, so they're great for training, synthetic wickets and lower-grade games, like the Kookaburra Crown or Zenith.
• White balls for club cricket, like the Kookaburra Crown White, are ideal for T20 and night games.
• Learning to swing it? The Kookaburra Super Coach Swinger is a training ball designed to swing, so you can practise your action.

Browse the full range of cricket balls, or read more about how Kookaburra balls are made.

Frequently asked questions

Does the pink ball swing more?

The pink ball, used in day-night Test matches, also has a thicker coating to keep its colour, so it often swings well early and around twilight. It tends to wear faster than a red ball.

Which ball brand swings the most?

The English Dukes ball is known for swinging longer than the Kookaburra, partly because of its more raised seam. Kookaburra balls tend to swing most in the first part of an innings.

Why does my club ball stop swinging so quickly?

Two-piece and practice balls are built to be tough, not to swing. They also wear quickly on synthetic pitches and rough outfields. A good four-piece match ball, kept shiny on one side, will swing for longer.

Need match balls?

We stock Kookaburra match and training balls in 156g and 142g at Western Sports Centre in Derrimut, with bulk options for clubs. Shop cricket balls online or come in and see us.