Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey
Stuart Broad has led a chorus of discontent around the state of the Dukes balls in the ongoing England-India Test series. Balls have been replaced regularly throughout the series, with both captains Shubman Gill and Ben Stokes constantly seen in conversation with umpires as to their condition.
It all reared to its head on the second morning of the third Test at Lord’s. India took three wickets with the second new ball thanks to an inspired spell from Jasprit Bumrah. However, the ball quickly lost its shape and was replaced after just 63 deliveries. The replacement was worse, and seemingly a lot older than the previous, and was replaced after just 48 deliveries.
“The cricket ball should be like a fine wicket keeper. Barely noticed. We are having to talk about the ball too much because it is such an issue & being changed virtually every innings. Unacceptable,” wrote Stuart Broad on X, formerly Twitter.
“Feels like it’s been 5 years now. Dukes have a problem. They need to fix it. A ball should last 80 overs. Not 10.”
Fans slam Dukes after two ball changes in the first session of day two of the Lord’s Test
Duke ball manufacturer Dilip Jagjodia responded to the recent criticism, claiming there can be no guarantees a ball will be perfect.
“Cricket balls come under criticism all the time,” he said in an interview with Indian Express. “Not just Dukes, it can be SG, Kookaburra. You need to give a brand new ball for a Test, making it a product that can’t be tested. And since it is made out of natural raw materials, you can’t 100 percent guarantee that every ball will be perfect. Nobody on the planet can make something like that.”
Fans took to social media to express their frustration as just 22 overs were bowled in the first session on day two of the Lord’s Test.
It will be interesting to see how England fare with the Dukes when it comes their turn to bowl. England were bowled out for 387 after a century to Joe Root and half-centuries to Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse. Jasprit Bumrah starred for India with a five-for.
