Dukes ball controversy: Manufacturer to conduct examination after strong criticism from both teams

The ongoing Test series between England and India has been entertaining so far across the three games with the quality of cricket and on-field banter proving to be box office stuff. However, the one problem that both sides have faced is regarding the shape of the Dukes ball that has historically been known to retain its seam for a considerable period of time.

 

Tests in England are challenging for batters not just due to the pitches but also the Dukes ball that isn't known to lose its hardness that easily. However, in this series, it has been a trend to see the ball being replaced very early in an innings. On some occasions, the replacement has come as early as the 30th over of an innings. This has sparked widespread debates and also caused huge criticism from all quarters, with doubts strengthening over the quality of the current batch of Dukes balls being used for the series.

 

India's Test captain Shubman Gill and former England pacer Stuart Broad were the ones who voiced their protest the loudest with plenty of support around them as well. Apart from occasions when the teams requested for a ball change, the umpires have also had their own discretion in changing the ball, often leading to displeasure for the fielding side. Apart from the inconvenience caused by ball changes, the delay caused has also added to over rates which have been at an all-time low this series.

 

The latest update is that the Dukes manufacturer is gearing up for a thorough examination of the balls to ensure that things get better in the future. The integrity of the Dukes ball has been a critical feature of Test matches in England and with the balls going out of shape at a faster rate, fast bowlers have struggled to create the impact that they usually do in the country. Apart from Jasprit Bumrah whose skill set is an anomaly, other bowlers including England's own seamers have found it difficult with the soft Dukes ball.

 

"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, told BBC Sport.

 

"Everything we do will be reviewed and then if we think some changes need to be made or tightened up, we will."

 

Apart from England, the other country where Dukes ball is used for Tests is West Indies. However, the Caribbean is yet to report any issues regarding softness, with the recent West Indies-Australia Tests also going on with minimal issues.

 

With the manufacturers set to review the ball, it needs to be seen if there is a major overhaul in production for the rest of this series.

 

 

 

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