Jaina vs DM Cricket Balls
A professional-calibre cricket ball against a cricket ball used in casual games.
A. Jaina Cricket Ball
Cost
Jaina cricket balls are sold in sets of two or twelve. The two-ball set costs ₹ 3,400 while the twelve-ball set costs ₹ 31,199. In theory, a single ball would cost ₹ 1,199 to ₹ 1,699. This is due to this type of cricket ball being used mainly in professional and official Test matches as well as batting practice or ‘in the nets’.
Being used in official Test matches means that the ball must be made from quality materials, hence the high cost. These balls are also sold in sets mainly due to the fact that red balls have to keep their colour mostly throughout a match. Since repeated use will wear out the colour, replacements should be on-hand.
Weight
The Jaina cricket ball has the average weight for a cricket ball, around 158.76 grams. Since the ball is around the accepted weight for a cricket ball (it should be since it is used in professional games), it assures fair play, even when used from casual to semi-pro games.
Measurement
The ball’s circumference measures 226 mm. Similar to its weight, the dimensions of the ball are around the accepted average. And, similarly, this ensures that the ball complies with ‘fair play rules’.
Other than this, it also means that players will find it relatively easy to grip the ball (since it complies with rules). Obviously, it will favour players with larger hands since they can make the ball ‘spin’ more with less effort.
Material
The Jaina cricket ball is made with the highest quality of leather there is for a cricket ball. This helps the ball retain its shape longer and ensures that its surface won’t get damaged as much even when used for prolonged periods. However, it is still not recommended that the same be used for more than 20 overs (this is the average lifespan of a cricket ball). For casual games, this rule may be ignored.
The ball’s core is made from seasoned, high-quality Portuguese cork. It is wrapped in 100% pure wool, giving the ball the right amount of bounce. This also helps the ball in retaining its shape since the wool is very compact.
Purpose
This cricket ball was made specifically for use in official, professional Test matches. However, this doesn’t mean that the ball can’t be used in games outside the professional scene. Using a professional-calibre ball has its pros and cons. For one, it will last longer but losing or destroying one when it isn’t halfway through its lifespan will hurt your wallet.
B. DM League Pure Cork Leather Ball
Cost
The DM cricket ball costs ₹599. It’s relatively cheap since it’s mostly used in semi-professional games such as local tournaments and U19 matches. However, the ball can also be used in ‘the nets’, casual matches, and casual ‘pick-me-up’ games.
Weight
The ball weighs 160 g. It’s around the average weight of a cricket ball, albeit on the heavier side of the scale. Due to this, the ball tends to bounce less and therefore needs to be thrown harder to make it bounce significantly.
Measurement
The ball has a circumference of 225mm, making it easy to grip and bowl with. The ball’s small size also makes it easier for bowlers to hit the stumps and apply spin. It adds a bit more challenge in batting though, as the ball is smaller and therefore a tad harder to hit.
Material
The ball is made of Grade A leather. It’s not the highest quality there is for a cricket ball but since the ball is mainly used in non and semi-professional games, there is little to no need for materials of the highest quality. Nevertheless, the leather is resistant to wear so long as it is not used for too many times.
Purpose
As mentioned, these balls are used mostly for semi-professional games but may also be used in casual games and practice games.
C. Final Comparison
The deciding factor really comes down to the ball’s purpose and use: will it be used in long matches or will it be used for just casual games? Cheaper balls may be the wiser choice when playing games that don’t need to be professionally officiated.