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The Best Cricket Balls: The 2021 Guide

After bowling countless deliveries with a variety of different cricket balls, we have picked the Dukes County International Cricket Ball as the ultimate cricket ball.

By CricketersChoice Editors

35

Models considered

15

Hours Of research

1

Expert Review

46

Reviews Analysed

The 15 Best Cricket Balls

Table of Contents

A cricket ball is probably the most important thing in the game of cricket. Whether you are bowling, batting or fielding, the focus is always on the ball. Playing with the right cricket ball can help you perform better, especially in those scenarios where it’s vital you get that last remaining wicket. 

When it comes to cricket balls, there are a range of different balls that are designed to suit a variety of different needs. To help you figure out which ball is best for you, we have split each style into different categories and selected a few high-quality options in each. We have considered 35 cricket balls and picked out 15 that we think are great in their own individual way.The balls we have picked are high-quality and we like to think they offer fantastic value for money.

1. Best Leather Cricket Balls

The best leather cricket balls are designed for one thing only – match day. There are a number of manufacturers who currently produce very high-quality cricket balls which are perfect for the highest level of cricket match. We’ve selected a few of our favourites which are available on the market today. We will warn you in advance that these balls are the best of the best and do come with a hefty price tag. We appreciate not everybody has an unlimited budget to spend on a ball, so we’ve picked out a budget option also.

Premium Pick - Dukes County International Cricket Ball

Dukes County International Cricket Ball

Features

  • Premium quality English alum tanned leather
  • Cortex centre for shape retention
  • Hand sewn and stitched
  • Traditional greased finish
  • Weight: 5.5oz

Dukes County produce arguably some of the best cricket balls in the world. They produce a full range of options including balls for juniors, women, adults and professionals. Sitting right at the top of the range sits the Dukes County International Cricket Ball. The ball is made from the most premium English leather, which is hand sewn and stitched to create an all-round beautiful ball. The quality of the ball allows it to seam and swing a lot more consistently than other cricket balls. This ball is used in both county and league cricket across the UK. Weighing 5.5oz, this is really the ultimate cricket ball for any cricket match.

Budget Option - Kookaburra County Special Cricket Ball

Kookaburra County Special Cricket Ball

Features

  • Excellent quality hand stitched 4-piece construction with 4 layer quilted centre
  • Waxed and finished to English requirements
  • Selected Alum tanned steer hide cover with fine linen stitching
  • Weight: 5.5oz

If our premium pick is a little bit on the expensive side, you can still get a fantastic leather cricket ball for nearly half the price. Our budget option is the Kookaburra County Special Cricket Ball. This is a first grade cricket ball which is constructed with a 4 layer quilted centre. It’s a fantastic ball which can be used in any cricket match. We especially think it’s perfect for matches which go up to 60 overs and beyond. The ball is finished and waxed to English requirements to ensure bowlers can achieve swing when required. 

2. Best Women's Cricket Balls

As per cricket laws, women’s cricket balls are slightly smaller than regular adult balls. Playing with the correct ball is important for any women player. The right balls gives an overall better grip and handling of the ball when bowling and fielding. A few brands create balls suitable for women, of which we’ve selected our favourite. 

Best Overall - Readers League Special Women's Cricket Ball

Readers League Special Women's Cricket Ball

Features

 
  • Four piece construction to enhance shape retention and performance.
  • Top quality imported leather ball
  • Hand stitched
  • Weight: 142g

Cricket ball specialists Readers have produced an excellent cricket ball designed specifically for women. Weighing 142g and constructed from four pieces to create the best possible shape, we think this is an excellent option for any female cricketer. If you require a ball branding specific league, Readers offer a customisation service for this specific ball. 

3. Best Junior Cricket Balls

As per cricket laws, women’s cricket balls are slightly smaller than regular adult balls. Playing with the correct ball is important for any women player. The right balls gives an overall better grip and handling of the ball when bowling and fielding. A few brands create balls suitable for women, of which we’ve selected our favourite. 

Premium Pick - Hunts County League Special Cricket Ball

Hunts County League Special Cricket Ball

Features

  • Super ‘Grade A’ ball
  • Top quality hand stitched ball
  • Premium leather
  • Five layer quilt construction
  • Excellent shape retention
  • Deep polish finish
The Hunts County League Special Cricket Ball is one of the best junior cricket balls available to buy. The ball comes with all the features that a ‘Grade A’ ball should, made with premium leather and constructed with the high-quality hand stitching. This ball is perfect for any accomplished junior cricketers. If you’re lucky enough to represent your county or are progressing well throughout your club, this may be a great ball that will only make your bowling better. Note – This ball is available in both an adult and junior version. Be sure to purchase the junior version and not the adult version.

Best Budget - Readers Special School Cricket Ball

Readers Special School Cricket Ball

Features

  • 4 piece leather construction
  • Hand stitched
  • Weight: 135g

We appreciate that spending a lot of money on a cricket ball can be excessive for a junior learning the game, so we’ve found a great option where we think you are getting fantastic value for under £10. Created by cricket ball specialists Readers, we present the Readers Special School Cricket Ball. The key thing to note about this ball is that it is hand-stitched which is rare for balls within its price range. We think this a great cost-effective option for any junior that has recently transitioned to a leather cricket ball. This ball is extensively used throughout the junior game. 

4. Best Cricket Soft Balls

A cricket soft ball, windball or airball are typically all the same thing. Whatever the name, they are all great for cricket without pads, junior cricket games and cricket games played for surfaces like concrete or down at the park. These balls are very inexpensive and a great addition to any cricket bag. 

Best Overall - Readers Windball

Readers Windball

Features

  • An all purpose soft orange ball ideally suited for cricket coaching and general garden-park use.
  • Size : Mens and Youth

One of the most popular cricket soft balls is the Readers Windball. We often see this ball thrown about at cricket practice and it really is a great addition to any cricketers ball collection. Made from plastic, it gives the option to play cricket safely without any cricket pads or helmet. It also allows juniors to play in the back garden or down at the local park. The ball bounces great which makes it perfect for bowling practice. We can’t think of any reason why a cricketer would not want this ball in their cricket bag.

5. Best Indoor Cricket Balls

During the off-season, it’s common for cricket teams to take practice indoors by hiring sports halls for small six to eight aside games and net practice. Manufacturers have taken this into account and designed balls specifically for the indoor game. If you are consistently playing cricket indoors, you may want to look at cricket balls designed for this.  

Premium Pick - Kookaburra Indoor PUC Cricket Ball

Kookaburra Indoor PUC Cricket Ball

Features

  • Manufactured in Australia
  • Specifically developed for the Indoor game
  • Durable PU Centre
  • Yellow 114g

Kookaburra have developed a fantastic range of indoor cricket balls – offering both a premium and budget options. Their premium option is the Kookaburra Indoor PUC Cricket Ball. The ball has a striking yellow leather outer, backed up by durable PU centre. Holding the ball, you can feel that the highest quality materials have been used in the construction of it. Weighing 114g (4oz), this is probably the best indoor ball available on the market. 

Best Budget - Hunts County Indoor Yellow Cricket Ball

Hunts County Indoor Yellow Cricket Ball

Features

  • Indoor ball with linen stitched seam.
  • Ideal for six or eight aside indoor game and net practice.
  • Colour : Yellor or red

A slightly more affordable option is the Hunts County Indoor Cricket Ball. Similar to the Kookaburra range, the ball is coated in bright yellow leather. If you are not a fan of yellow balls, this option can be purchased in red. Hunts County have specifically thought about the six to eight aside indoor games when designing this ball. Weighing 4oz, this is also a fantastic for any junior that needs to add an indoor ball to their collection. What we like about this ball is that it is over £10 cheaper than our premium pick. We think this is fantastic value for money given an almost identical product. 

6. Best Training Cricket Balls

The cricket season not only means cricket matches, but it also means hours on end either bowling or batting in the nets. In this period, it’s likely for a ball to take a large amount of hits and risks getting damaged fairly easily. Therefore, no cricketer wants to spend a significant amount of money on a ball that will most likely be replaced in a month or so. We’ve selected a fairly priced ball which is great for those fast paced net sessions. 

Best Overall - Gray-Nicolls Crest Elite Cricket Ball

Gray-Nicolls Crest Elite Cricket Ball

Features

  • High-Quality Machine Stitched Thread
  • Cork And Rubber Core.
  • Grade 3 Tanned Leather Outer
  • Hard Shell Lining.
  • Weight: 135g or 156g

We’ve identified the Gray-Nicolls Crest Elite Cricket Ball as a great ball for training. For around the £10 mark, you get a ball which has a ‘Grade 3’ leather outer covering a cork and rubber core. There is also a high shell lining which ensures it will keep its shape, even if it takes a hammering. The only downfall with this ball is that it is machine-stitched. Despite this, Gray-Nicolls have delivered a durable ball which is perfect for any netting practice. 

7. Best Cricket Swing Balls

Every cricketer wants to either perfect the art of bowling swing or master facing a tricky swing delivery. If you are struggling with achieving swing, you will be pleased to know that there are balls which are designed to help you bowl swing like the professionals. We’ve selected a range of swing balls, that we think are great for replicating professional swing deliveries. 

Best Overall - Gunn and Moore Chevron Swing Cricket Ball

Gunn and Moore Chevron Swing Cricket Ball

Features

  • Achieve swing like the professionals
  • Ideal training aid for both bowlers and batsmen.
  • Size: Senior
This Gunn and Moore Chevron Swing Ball is designed so bowlers can replicate perfect swing bowling. The balls outer is leather, creating a feel that is identical to that of a normal cricket ball. The ball has chunks of leather removed from one of the sides to create a weight imbalance – allowing swing movement when thrown. Complete with a raised seam, we think this is the best swing ball to buy. After hours of research, we weren’t able to find any other balls like this on the market.

Best Budget - Gray-Nicolls Reverse Swing Cricket Ball

Gray-Nicolls Reverse Swing Cricket Ball

Features

  • Achieve swing like the professionals
  • Ideal training aid for both bowlers and batsmen.
  • Size: Senior

A slightly cheaper swing ball option is the Gray-Nicolls Reverse Swing Cricket Ball. The ball is rough on one side and smooth on the other, allowing the ball to move when bowled. The ball has a raised seam, so it can be used to teach a junior how to hold a cricket ball properly. 

Best For Juniors - Gunn and Moore Swing King Ball Junior

Gunn and Moore Swing King Ball Junior

Features

  • Achieve swing like the professionals
  • Developed specifically for recreational sport, great fun
  • Ideal training aid
  • Durable and tough
  • Available in Red/Yellow

The Gunn and Moore Swing King Ball is a great ball designed to teach a junior how to bowl swing. The ball is essentially a half and half ball – half tennis ball, half rubber, creating a different weight on each side. There is a raised seam, which can be used to teach a young player how to hold a cricket ball when bowling. This ball can be used in the cricket nets, in the back garden or down at the local park.

8. Best Cricket Spin Balls

Bowling spin can prove extremely difficult. You could potentially bowl delivery after delivery and not quite get the movement you wanted. Whether you bowl leg-spin or off-spin, there are a few balls designed to help a bowler achieve the movement they desire. 

Best Overall - Kookaburra Super Coach Spinner Cricket Ball

Kookaburra Super Coach Spinner Cricket Ball

Features

  • Plastic construction with enhanced stitched seam to improve spin bowling technique
  • Dual density core encourages players to ‘give it a rip’
  • Men’s & Youths

The Kookaburra Super Coach Spinner Cricket Ball is a ball designed to help both adult and youth players achieve spin. Kookaburra have established a design in which the seam is  enhanced, creating superb movement when bowled correctly. We think this is a great choice for any bowler who wants  to master spin bowling.

9. Best Cricket Tennis Balls

For very young juniors getting into the game, a leather or rubber cricket ball is not suitable for play. This where where cricket style tennis balls come into the picture. These balls are soft and bouncy, making them perfect for playing smalls games of cricket and practicing in the back garden. 

Best Overall - Readers All Play Ball

Readers All Play Ball

Features

  • Tennis style ball with seam
  • Multi Colour
  • Box of 6

The Readers All Play Ball is a ball which is created in the same way a tennis ball is. The ball is soft and bounces well, ensuring it is safe for any junior to play cricket. What’s great about this ball is the seam. We think it’s important for juniors to learn how to hold a ball correctly and the added seam allows this. These balls come in a multiple pack of 6 – making it perfect for when the odd ball creeps over the neighbours fence!

Best Budget - Gunn and Moore First Cricket Ball

Gunn and Moore First Cricket Ball

Features

  • Similar construction to a tennis ball but with a cricket seam and lower bounce
  • Excellent first ball for primary school children
  • Size: Junior

Another great beginner cricket tennis ball is the Gunn and Moore First Cricket Ball. This has all the same features that the Readers option has – again with the important seam which can teach a junior how to hold a cricket ball. This is another fantastic choice for any primary school child. 

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