UK Cricket Club Introduces Vegan Ball To Replace Leather Ball

When news of Virat Kohli turning to a plant-based diet broke, all of us were excited. But then, there was that little voice in the back of our head wondering – can the actual game be veganised? Cricket balls are, of course, made of leather.

Turns out vegan cricket is well on its way to becoming a reality, and Earley Cricket Club in Reading, England is at the forefront of that change. They now have a vegan ball - a synthetic one covered in rubber and free from animal products.

Founder and chairman of the club, Gary Shacklady, told the Daily Mail, “It does behave like a leather cricket ball, but it bounces more and if difficult to grip.”

This is the second vegan-friendly initiative launched by the club, after Shacklady changed the tea menu to a plant-based one two years ago. The reason?  He is a vegan himself, and he also wanted to make the club more inclusive for Muslim and Hindu players.  Ham and beef sandwiches have been ditched in favour of meat-free spaghetti Bolognese and Moroccan tagine. 

Shacklady says the vegan menu has been well received and that players “pile their plates high.” He also added that he hopes other clubs follow suit. So do we! What do you think? 

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