The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that Test matches against Australia and Ireland will be played using a Dukes ball with a bigger seam than those currently being used in the County Championship.
AFP/ Glyn Kirk
This year, the Dukes ball used for the Championship has a less prominent seam in a bid to even out the balance between bat and ball in the early season, when traditionally the bowlers are on top. Feedback from county coaches and players are that the ball has Indeed made it a fairer contest, although an improvement in county pitches has also been a factor.
However, the ECB has decided to revert to the 2017/18 Dukes ball — used in the previous two Test summers — in the search of better balance when the pitches flatten out in high summer. However, last year, Alastair Cook said it was the Most difficult season for batting he could remember although the pitches and weather played a part in that.
The more prominent seam will James Anderson and Stuart Broad, both of whom were consulted about the newer version, and who should benefit from the additional movement it will offer. Anderson has taken his wickets at 16 runs apiece in the last two home summer, Ten runs less than his career average. Test captain Joe root was also consulted before the decision.
The ECB's decision to pick a ball which will play to England's strength and Australia's weakness is a pragmatic one then but Ashley Giles, managing director of England's men cricket, was keen to emphasise that having a balance between bat and ball was his overriding concern.
"This is not about having two-day games," he said. "This is honestly about having a fair contest. My concern was this [current] ball would make it too batting friendly on good Test wickets in the middle of the summer. That Was the primary reason.
"We've seen some really good Test cricket in this country over a number of years. It's not as if we are talking about playing against an attack that is not very good. The Aussies are quite handy themselves.
"There are elements of risk to it because we are choosing to go with this ball and they have a formidable bowling attack. Clearly, Jimmy Anderson is one of our best weapons so we want to bring him into the game."
