The Red cricket ball plays a key role in determining the fate of a Test match. While the new ball often aids the fast bowlers, who are looking to swing the ball early into a game.
Similarly, as the match progresses, cricket balls undergo a lot of wear and tear as batters hit them all around the park. The Cherry loses its shine significantly as it gets old and it then starts to help the batter.
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Change of balls during the course of a Test match is extremely important to maintain a balance between the batting and the bowling sides.
In this article, The Sporting News takes a look at the rules and regulations regarding the changing of balls in the middle of a Test match.
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Why do umpires change the ball in Test matches?
According to the Marylebone Cricket Council's (MCC) Law no. 4.2.1 -- All the balls to be used in a Test match should be in the possession of the umpires before and throughout the course of the game.
Umpires change a ball in Test matches only upon the request of the fielding team if there's considerable wear and tear to the ball that has been used for at least 80 overs. The umpires possess measuring equipment which checks if the weight of the ball is not less than 5.5 ounces/155.9 grams or more than 5.75 ounces/163 grams when new.
The circumference also plays an important role in selecting a new ball, as the ball should not measure less than 8.81 inches/22.4 centimetres and not more than 9 inches/22.9 centimetres.
Can team captains request a ball change?
Team captains can request a ball change only after the ball that was picked at the start has completed a duration of 80 overs in a day. The fielding team's captain can decide after the designated 80 overs of an innings if he wants to continue with the same ball for a few more overs or wants to change it immediately.
In another instance, if the batting side continues to bat for a period of more than 160 overs, a new ball is made available at that point too.