London: English cricket club have switched to using a vegan ball made from the traditional leather.  Earlier, Cricket Club in Reading had already introduced a vegan tea for their players.

That was down to their founder and chairman Gary Shacklady who found most cricket club teas consisted of ham sandwiches, not much use to him when he became a vegan.

Now they have gone the full hog and introduced a vegan cricket ball – a synthetic animal products-free one covered in rubber instead of leather.

“It does behave like a leather cricket ball, but it bounces more and it’s more difficult to grip,” Shacklady said.

“But we’re enthused by it and we’re hopeful of finding a better version.”

Shacklady, who founded the club 12 years ago and at 33 is the youngest cricket club chairman in England, is hoping other clubs in their Berkshire Cricket League will follow their lead.

(Agencies)