Optimal Equipment Selection: Tracing the history of ball use in the sport of Estuary Cricket

Estuary Cricket is a game informally played in many suitable coastal locations. However, since becoming a recognised professional sport, players and spectators alike have long searched for the optimal Estuary Cricket ball.



Desired characteristics of the ball include:

- Longevity of the lasting properties of the ball

- Minimal risk of the boweer sustaining a musculoskeletal injury

- Reward to batsmen for good timing and expansive stroke-play

- Strong responsive properties

- High force levels obtained at point of impact

- Unpredictability

- High risk to batsmen





It is difficult for one single ball to satisfy all these properties. Therefore, a lengthy selection process has been undertaken at the Australian Estuary Cricket High Performance Centre at Goodwood Island, NSW. This process spans over a decade's worth of rigorous testing in the practical setting, utilising a stratefied random sample of participants with varying degrees of custardy in the throwing arm.





Prototype 1 (circa 1998): Slazenger tennis ball

Pros - Readily available in the majority of coastal communities

- High resiliance to aquatic environment

- Generally good lifespan

- Ease of catching for fielders



Cons - Early onset of bowler fatigue and assocsiated soft tissue injuries

- High frequency of under-performance off the wicket