We have so many issues raised about the state of the ball in test matches.

Players just trying to get the ball changed every few minutes.

Criticism of what manufacturer produces the ball.

Seen Windies v Aus using a pink ball without seemingly any reason.

Any suggestions ?

Pink ball is for day night. Easier to see in the darker sky. Been using them for at least 10 years

UK and West Indies (I think) still use the 'Dukes' ball while everyone else uses the Aussie made 'Kookaburra'. The Duke swings more/for longer and was traditionally thought to maintain its shape for longer than the Kookaburra, but in recent years (lots of excuses given) that no longer seems to be true. Oh, the Dukes ball is also about 3x the price of a Kookaburra.
Its use is felt to provide us with an advantage in home test series and perhaps garners some sort of kickback for the ECB. Sadly, of late, it appears that the bowlers have only 25ish overs to get wickets while the batsmen (sorry, batters) have the biggest advantage for the next 55.

Heavy bats. Harder hitting. Increased run rate.

Dressinggown wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 16, 2025 6:33 pm

We have so many issues raised about the state of the ball in test matches.

Players just trying to get the ball changed every few minutes.

Criticism of what manufacturer produces the ball.

Seen Windies v Aus using a pink ball without seemingly any reason.

Any suggestions ?

Clockwork Claret wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 16, 2025 11:56 pm

Heavy bats. Harder hitting. Increased run rate.

My theory is, maybe a little whacky but there is some reasoning in it.

The problems have really started since COVID, since players weren't allowed to put saliva on the ball to polish it, they could only use sweat that was naturally on their hands, and I think that's the case still today.

As sweat has a much higher salt content than saliva, and salt is terrible for leather.

It can cause cracking, misshaping and softening, I'm convinced this is what's happening to the dukes cricket ball and that's why we've so many issues with them going soft and out of shape...

The Indian team seem to be the ones complaining in the main, asking the Umpires to look at changing the ball regularly. They look down at it in disdain, and one occasion, the Captain, Rishabh Pant threw the ball down as if to show how soft it was .. In India, Tests are played with balls made by SG ... amongst their brand ambassadors are KL Rahul and a certain Rishabh Pant !!

I wonder if this has anything to do with it ...

Andreshotboots wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 17, 2025 4:33 pm

My theory is, maybe a little whacky but there is some reasoning in it.

The problems have really started since COVID, since players weren't allowed to put saliva on the ball to polish it, they could only use sweat that was naturally on their hands, and I think that's the case still today.

As sweat has a much higher salt content than saliva, and salt is terrible for leather.

It can cause cracking, misshaping and softening, I'm convinced this is what's happening to the dukes cricket ball and that's why we've so many issues with them going soft and out of shape...

Quite possibly, but the saliva ban was lifted a couple of months ago, so hopefully we'll see things back to normal

Clarets4me wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 17, 2025 5:29 pm

The Indian team seem to be the ones complaining in the main, asking the Umpires to look at changing the ball regularly. They look down at it in disdain, and one occasion, the Captain, Rishabh Pant threw the ball down as if to show how soft it was .. In India, Tests are played with balls made by SG ... amongst their brand ambassadors are KL Rahul and a certain Rishabh Pant !!

I wonder if this has anything to do with it ...

All teams do it when they need a wicket and nothing is happening.

Players will always try everything to get an advantage.
They cheat, they bend rules, they whinge and they put pressure on umpires.

It needs to stop.

Either take away the option of swapping the ball or give them 2 balls to use at their will with no option of a new ball at 80 overs.