The balls do matter

A layman may wonder what difference does the ball make, especially when the shape, size and weight remain the same, but let me assure that there's a massive difference in how different balls behave in the air and off the surface, writes Aakash Chopra in the Hindustan Times.

Let me begin with SG Test ball. It has a more pronounced seam, which stays that way for almost the entire length of the innings. It helps the quick bowlers release the ball in an upright seam position, as it doesn't wobble much after releasing, and helps the spinners grip the ball better and get more purchase off the wicket as the seam grips the surface well. The ball doesn't swing much when new, but starts swinging when one half becomes shinier than the other. As the shine stays longer, it enables quick bowlers get the swing and slower bowler the drift. The quicks who `release' the ball instead of hitting the deck are more successful with the SG ball as they can get it swing and seam the whole day. The Kookaburra ball, on the other hand, also has a pronounced seam, but it fades away quickly.