A Study on Restitution of Different Cricket Balls on Different Types of Pitches

Cricket performance is influenced not only by player skill but also by the interaction between the ball and the playing surface. The purpose of this study was to examine how different types of cricket balls behave on varied pitch surfaces in terms of their coefficient of restitution (COR). This study investigated the coefficient of restitution (COR) of five types of cricket balls—soft tennis (Cosco and Wilson), hard tennis (Headly), synthetic (SS), and leather (SG)—when dropped from four heights (120 cm, 150 cm, 180 cm, and 200 cm) onto three pitch types: turf, astro turf, and concrete. Bounce heights were recorded using high-speed videography, and data were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD tests. Results showed that the soft and hard tennis balls (Cosco, Wilson, and Headly) had significantly higher COR values compared to the synthetic and leather balls (SS and SG) across all pitch types. However, there was no significant difference in COR among the three tennis balls, nor between the synthetic and leather balls. Additionally, pitch type—whether turf, astro turf, or concrete—did not significantly influence the COR for any ball type. The study concludes that ball material and construction notably affect restitution, with tennis balls demonstrating higher bounce. In contrast, the pitch surface has a minimal impact on COR. These insights are useful for coaches, players, and equipment manufacturers in making evidence-based decisions for training and competitive play.