Cricket Training Ball

Abstract

A cricket training ball generally includes an outer layer, an interior body, and at least two or three grip rings, which are designed to mimic the location and feel of circumferential stitching of a standard cricket ball. The outer layer, the interior body, and the at least two grip rings together having a combined weight of approximately 2.0 to 2.5 times the maximum weight of a standard cricket ball in order to strengthen arm and hand muscles used in spin bowling and to improve spin bowling technique.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A cricket training ball for spin bowling training comprising:
 an outer layer;   an interior body being disposed within said outer layer;   at least two grip rings being disposed parallel and adjacent to one another and to encircle said outer layer;   said at least two grip rings being configured to mimic the location and feel of circumferential stitching of a standard cricket ball; and   said outer layer, said interior body, and said at least two grip rings together having a combined weight of approximately 2.0 to 2.5 times the maximum weight of a standard cricket ball according to British Standard 5993:1994 in order to strengthen arm and hand muscles used in spin bowling and to improve spin bowling technique.   
     
     
         2 . The cricket training ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cricket training ball has a diameter approximately 10% to 40% greater than the maximum diameter of a standard cricket ball according to British Standard 5993:1994 in order to strengthen arm and hand muscles used in spin bowling and to improve spin bowling technique. 
     
     
         3 . The cricket training ball of  claim 2 , wherein interior body comprises silicone. 
     
     
         4 . The cricket training ball of  claim 3 , wherein said outer layer comprises rubber. 
     
     
         5 . The cricket training ball of  claim 4 , wherein said at least two grip rings comprise rubber ridges that project above the surface of said outer layer by about one to two millimeters. 
     
     
         6 . The cricket training ball of  claim 5 , wherein said at least two grip rings comprise three grip rings. 
     
     
         7 . The cricket training ball of  claim 6 , wherein the cricket training ball has a diameter in the range of 80 to 100 millimeters. 
     
     
         8 . The cricket training ball of  claim 7 , wherein the cricket training ball has a weight in the range of 380 to 420 grams. 
     
     
         9 . The cricket training ball of  claim 1 , wherein interior body comprises silicone. 
     
     
         10 . The cricket training ball of  claim 1 , wherein said outer layer comprises rubber. 
     
     
         11 . The cricket training ball of  claim 1 , wherein said at least two grip rings comprise rubber ridges that project above the surface of said outer layer by about one to two millimeters. 
     
     
         12 . The cricket training ball of  claim 1 , wherein said at least two grip rings comprise three grip rings. 
     
     
         13 . The cricket training ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cricket training ball has a diameter in the range of 80 to 100 millimeters. 
     
     
         14 . The cricket training ball of  claim 1 , wherein the cricket training ball has a weight in the range of 380 to 420 grams. 
     
     
         15 . A training method for cricket spin bowling using the cricket training ball of  claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of:
 throwing or bowling the cricket training ball repeatedly;   strengthening muscles relating to cricket spin bowling; and   throwing or bowling a standard, lighter, cricket ball with increased control and improved spin bowling technique.