Tennis ball cricket is a form of cricket that is played using tennis balls. This form of cricket is popular in India. However, it’s exact origins are unknown. The first official governing body of tennis ball cricket was formed in 1982 in India. It was a national body called the Tennis Ball Cricket Association of India.
Tennis ball cricket is more prominently played as backyard or gully cricket. The length of the pitch is decided based on the place where tennis ball cricket is played. Since it is played with tennis ball, batters may or may not wear protective equipment like helmet, gloves, and pads.
A tennis ball has a furred leather felt with a white curvilinear line encircling it. Its aerodynamic properties are different since it is much lighter than the cork ball used in professional cricket. In order to mimic the cork ball, some local players tend to wet the ball or cover it with an electrical tape to increase its weight.
Tennis ball cricket is played globally by both test-playing and associate member nations of the International Cricket Council. The most popular tournaments that feature the tennis ball’s use in cricket are the 10PL, National Tennis Ball Cricket League, and Indian Street Premier League. A common factor apart from the use of tennis ball in all these tournaments is that each one is played in the T10 format. While the T10 format is only partially recognised by the International Cricket Council, none of the aforementioned events hold any value at a professional stage.
Tennis ball cricket is also known as Softball cricket in some parts of Europe. It is played in deserts in the Middle-East and on soccer and baseball fields in the North American continent. Tennis ball cricket continues to be an easier form of cricket that adds to the popularity of the sport worldwide.
