Know your cricket kit - 21/07/2009In the popular sport of cricket one of the most important elements is the cricket ball. There are basic regulations regarding size, it cannot be heavier than 163g and its circumference must be between 224 and 229mm, however junior players use smaller cricket balls. But beyond size, there are additional rules and regulations involving the ball that can decide plays and also add to the enjoyment of the game. In a match, each inning is started with a new, polished cricket ball. The ball remains in play and the rules of cricket dictate that it cannot be replaced unless certain conditions occur. These conditions include if the cricket ball is illegally modified by a player, or if it is damaged or lost. cricket balls which meet one of these conditions are replaced, but with a used ball. They will be replaced with new balls only after the stated minimum of overs have been bowled. In Test Cricket, the captain of the bowling side can request a new ball after eighty overs, and in international one-day matches, the ball is changed at the start of the thirty-fifth over of each inning.
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Because cricket balls are used for long periods of time they become rough and worn down. Bowlers polish the balls by rubbing on their trousers, but they usually only polish one side to control the movement of the ball. There are strict rules concerning the cricket ball and the umpires inspect them constantly and enforce the rules. While bowlers are allowed to apply sweat or saliva to the ball when polishing, there are things they cannot do. They cannot rub any other substance on the ball, they cannot rub the ball on the ground, they can not alter the seam, and they cannot use any object, including fingernails, to scuff the ball. Bowlers use the seam of a cricket ball to change the path of the ball, and they have developed techniques such as swing bowling. Seam bowling is a technique that creates a sideways motion as the ball bounces off the pitch. Fast bowlers prefer new cricket balls because they are harder and faster and spin bowlers like worn balls because they tend to spin more. Here the team captain can use strategy, keeping a worn ball in while his spin bowlers are in play.
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Although cricket balls can be dangerous and can cause serious injuries, only the batsman and the wicket-keeper wear gloves. The fielders are not allowed to wear gloves or to use any part of their clothing to field the ball. Doing so can result in five penalty runs to the other team. However, as cricket balls are known to be quite hard, the batsman and the nearby fielders do wear helmets to protect their heads. As in any sport it is important that players remain alert and constantly develop their skills so they can avoid injuries. Junior players will want to play with others at the same skill level as mismatches can be unsafe.
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