Kookaburra balls could be used in Championship

The plan, which would see the Kookaburra used in the opening and closing weeks of the season, is aimed at reducing the amount of movement available when pitches are at their most helpful to seam bowlers

George Dobell

25-Sep-2018

The ECB is to consider proposals to utilise the Kookaburra ball in Championship cricket.

The plan, which would see the Kookaburra used in the opening and closing weeks of the season and the Duke's ball used at other times, is aimed at reducing the amount of movement available when pitches are at their most helpful to seam bowlers. The Duke's ball generally helps seamers more and for longer.

This 2018 Championship season has been characterised by low scores. With the Championship programme squeezed ever more into the margins of the season and the best pitches often saved for limited-overs use, batsmen have struggled to survive for long periods against sharply moving balls. As a consequence, concerns have grown that the county game is not helping the technical or temperamental development of the next generation of Test batsmen.

There is also a concern that life has become a little too comfortable for some bowlers who are not encouraged to learn the disciplines or skills required to flourish in Test cricket.

The red Kookaburra is currently used in Test cricket in Australia and New Zealand.

George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo