The ball, when new, shall weigh not less than 5½ ounces/155.9g, nor more than

5¾ ounces/163g, and shall measure not less than 813/16 in/22.4cm, nor more than 9

in/22.9cm in circumference.

(a) All balls to be used in the match, having been approved by the umpires and

captains, shall be in the possession of the umpires before the toss and shall remain

under their control throughout the match.

(b) The umpire shall take possession of the ball in use at the fall of each wicket, at

the start of any interval and at any interruption of play.

Unless an agreement to the contrary has been made before the match, either

captain may demand a new ball at the start of each innings.

In a match of more than one day’s duration, the captain of the fielding side may

demand a new ball after the prescribed number of overs has been bowled with the

old one. The Governing Body for cricket in the country concerned shall decide

the number of overs applicable in that country, which shall not be less than 75

overs.

The umpires shall indicate to the batsmen and the scorers whenever a new ball is

taken into play.

If, during play, the ball cannot be found or recovered or the umpires agree that it

has become unfit for play through normal use, the umpires shall replace it with a

ball which has had wear comparable with that which the previous ball had

received before the need for its replacement. When the ball is replaced the

umpires shall inform the batsmen and the fielding captain.

The specifications as described in 1 above shall apply to men’s cricket only. The

following specifications will apply to

(i) Women’s cricket

    Weight                    : from 415/16 ounces/140g to 55/16 ounces /151g

    Circumference         : from 8¼ in/21.0cm to 87/8 in/22.5cm

(ii) Junior cricket – under 13

    Weight                    : from 411/16 ounces/133g to 51/16 ounces/144g

    Circumference         : from 81/16 in/20.5cm to 811/16 in/22.0cm