Before being used in a cricket match, a ball has to go through various steps to get into the perfect shape.
Step 1: Getting the perfect leather
Two types of leathers are used in making the ball. The brown is the local ‘desi’ leather, the other one is white. The white one is prepared from salt and the ‘desi’ leather is prepared from Kikar tree extract.
Step 2: Cutting and Stitching of panels
Leather sheets are coloured and then panels are measured and cut out from those sheets. After cutting the panels, two leather pieces are stitched together.
Step 3: Shaping of panels
After the two pieces are stitched, the panels are moulded using machines. The edges of the leather are chiselled and smoothened. The moulded pieces are sent for cork-filling and the stitching process.
Step 4: Cork Filing and first-phase stitching
A cork — made up of saw waste and woollen strings — is placed in between two moulded semi-spherical pieces. The cork is weighed properly (105 grams) before putting it inside the moulds.
Step 5: The final step — Double Stitching
The last step is double-stitching of the two halves to provide a perfect seam.
Your’s favourite cricket ball is now ready to use!
