Why isn't it mandatory for all countries to use the Dukes balls for Test cricket?

[Canford Cliffs]

Ok Nasser Hussain raised this point yesterday in comm box. We have seen over the years that Duke ball provides the best balance between bat & ball which results in best test cricket. There is something for seamers throughout the 5 days and also for spinners due to prominent seam. On the other hand Kookkabura balls get soft after 15 overs and bowlers become helpless post that. We have seen teams racking huge scores in test cricket whilst playing with Kookaburra balls. SG balls (used in India) are okayish but still not as good as Duke.

So why dont ICC make it a compulsory for all country to use Duke balls for test cricket? Its a simple change and if adopted will make test cricket more interesting everywhere.


For information
Kookaburra balls are machine made and have low seam which offers swing for 20-25 overs after that batting become easy and there is no help for spinners.

SG (Sanspareils Greenlands) balls are manufactured in Meerut, India. These balls are handmade and have most uptight seam which remains in good condition upto 80-90 overs. These balls are used in rough condition like India that's why they lack shine very quickly. These balls offers good reverse swing and helps spinners.

Duke balls are manufactured in England and like SG balls these are also handmade. These are darker in colour compared to SG and Kookaburras due to the coating of lacquer over the balls due to which these are ideal for Swing and best for fast bowlers.

 

[Markhor]

Should do so as it's an excellent ball that swings for longer and spinners too enjoy bowling with the Dukes due to the pronounced seam.

People say the Dukes won't last in dry climates but the West Indies use a version of it.

The Kookaburra does nothing after the first ten overs and doesn't produce the contests between bat and ball as we see with the Dukes. I'd also use the Dukes in 50 over cricket.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Should do so as it's an excellent ball that swings for longer and spinners too enjoy bowling with the Dukes due to the pronounced seam.

People say the Dukes won't last in dry climates but the West Indies use a version of it.

The Kookaburra does nothing after the first ten overs and doesn't produce the contests between bat and ball as we see with the Dukes. I'd also use the Dukes in 50 over cricket.

ODIs in duke balls would be interesting. We may see lots of <200 scores.

 

[Pakistanian]

I think they're more suited for the English weather conditions.

 

[topspin]

Duke ball or at the very least would like to see the manufacturing process be replicated to the Kookaburra and SG in order to achiever a better balance between bat and ball.

UAE is most in need of the duke ball given these are the most docile of conditions.

 

[cricketjoshila]

The SG ball is fine.It is hand woven and has a more pronounced seam than even the Dukes. This helps the spinners grip the older ball. So its very appropriate for asian conditions.

The biggest problem is the Kookaburra ball. Its the most widely used ball and perhaps the worst one in terms of seam and shine.

What ball do other teams use? Like SA SL Pak BD?

 

[cricketjoshila]

ODIs in duke balls would be interesting. We may see lots of <200 scores.

How many <200 scores in ODIs do you see in England? They use the Duke's ball.

 

[InziRules]

The SG ball is the worst of the lot and needs to be banned from Cricket.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

The SG ball is the worst of the lot and needs to be banned from Cricket.

Think Kookkabura is worst

 

[HitWicket]

How many <200 scores in ODIs do you see in England? They use the Duke's ball.

The kookaburra ball is used everywhere for ODI cricket.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

How many <200 scores in ODIs do you see in England? They use the Duke's ball.

Duke or SG dont hv white balls. Only machine made Kookkabura white balls are used for ODIs globally. Hence the big scores.

 

[cricketjoshila]

The kookaburra ball is used everywhere for ODI cricket.

Sorry i meant domestic limited overs cricket. India uses SG for it. Hearing that from next season SG white may be used in the ODIs T20s and IPL too.

Dukes too have a white ball. Used in 1999 WC.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Duke or SG dont hv white balls. Only machine made Kookkabura white balls are used for ODIs globally. Hence the big scores.

Both have white balls. See above.

 

[HitWicket]

Sorry i meant domestic limited overs cricket. India uses SG for it. Hearing that from next season SG white may be used in the ODIs T20s and IPL too.

Dukes too have a white ball. Used in 1999 WC.

The white kookaburra ball is also used in all English domestic limited overs cricket.

 

[giri26]

The most damning thing is that Ravi Ashwin who picked loads of wickets with SG ball, in the press conference said that Dukes is the best of the 3 available. So it does seem like the popular choice.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Duke or SG dont hv white balls. Only machine made Kookkabura white balls are used for ODIs globally. Hence the big scores.

Both Duke and SG have white balls. The SG white ball was tried within the the last 12 months in a domestic tournament in India and there was some rumour about it being used in bilateral ODIs in India as well