Hard New Ball Meaning in Cricket

Hard new ball refers to the condition of the cricket ball during the first few overs. A fresh ball is very firm and has a prominent raised seam that helps it move. This hardness allows the ball to travel much faster off the pitch and the wooden bat. Fast bowlers love this stage because they can generate a lot of swing and bounce. A bowler used the hard new ball to take a wicket in the very first over. Batters must be extremely careful because the ball can deviate sharply and cause an early edge. The sound of the hard leather hitting the wood is much louder than with an old ball. Scoring runs is often easier if the batter can use the natural speed of the ball. This phase of the game is usually the most dangerous for any opening batting pair.