The manufacturer of Dukes cricket balls will conduct a thorough review following widespread criticism of the soft balls used in the first three Test matches between India and England. The review comes after complaints about balls losing hardness and going out of shape quickly, particularly after 30 overs, causing match delays due to frequent ball changes.The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) plans to collect the used balls and return them to British Cricket Balls Ltd, the company that produces Dukes balls, by the end of the week.“We will take it away, inspect and then start talking to the tanner, talking about all of the raw materials – everything,” said Dilip Jajodia, owner of British Cricket Balls Ltd, who make the Dukes.“Everything we do will be reviewed and then if we think some changes need to be made or tightened up, we will.”The Dukes ball, which has been in production since 1760, has faced issues in Test and County cricket in recent years. The ball is specifically used for Test matches in England, while India uses SG balls and Australia uses Kookaburra balls.
During the Lord’s Test, Indian captain Shubman Gill expressed disappointment with the replacement ball provided by the umpires after the second new ball needed changing in the first hour of the second morning.The ball change significantly impacted the game as Jasprit Bumrah had taken three quick wickets with the original ball, but Indian bowlers failed to secure any breakthroughs in the remainder of the first session after the ball was changed.
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Former English pacer Stuart Broad, who has been critical of the Dukes ball in recent years, also voiced his displeasure with the replacement ball.The on-field umpires have had to regularly change balls throughout the ongoing five-match series due to quality concerns. The host board decides which ball is used for Test series.Currently, England leads the five-match series 2-1, having secured victories in London and Leeds, while India won in Edgbaston.
