A
cricket ball is a hard, solid
ball used to play
cricket. A cricket ball consists of
cork covered by
leather, and manufacture is regulated by cricket law at
first class level. The manipulation of a cricket ball, through employment of its various physical properties, is a staple component of
bowling and dismissing batsmen. Movement in the air, and off the ground, is influenced by the condition of the ball, the efforts of the bowler and the pitch, while working on the cricket ball to obtain optimum condition is a key role of the fielding side. The cricket ball is the principal manner through which the
batsman scores
runs, by manipulating the ball into a position where it would be safe to take a run, or by directing the ball through or over the
boundary.