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[Dan W]

Silly question, and I really should know this at my age, but...When people talk about using balls in nets to help knock a bat in, is it because net balls (owing to the fact they've been around and used in at least a match before) are softer than a fresh match ball? Or are they harder?

[Talisman]

Softer, net balls should always be as good quality as match balls. It is easier to make a hard ball than a soft ball hence the quantity of bat breakers out there.

[Simmy]

are net balls are 99% of the time just are old 2nd match balls

so still top quality balls just soft and battered

[Dan W]

Cool, cheers...Am I also right in assuming hard balls are preferable to quickies for them to bowl with?

[Manormanic]

hard as in new, yes.  Hard as in bat breaker/poor quality, no not really.  Quick bowlers want a hard, new ball with a firm seam and leather that will take a shine, all for obvious reasons...

[Canners]

I always worry about the quality of balls used in the nets as this is where I have seen a lot of bats break, I think the fact the ball comes on a lot quicker in the nets plays a big part of it also, but yeah if you can persuade the bowlers to use softer quality balls I'd certainly have more peace of mind....

[Manormanic]

a lot of nets, especially the ones in old school sports hall, tend to have parquet floors, which have the annoying habit of skidding on at pace.  Means you hit a lot of balls right on the toe of the bat at force...