The debate of using a particular type of cricket ball while playing Test cricket has been a bone of contention for a long time now. On the eve of the second Test between India and West Indies, Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli said that he had like to see Test cricket being played with Duke balls across the globe, while criticising the quality of SG cricket balls that India uses during home matches.

Virat Kohli said that he would vouch for Dukes ball over SG balls because of its consistency. The Indian skipper said, “The Dukes ball, I think, is the most suited ball for Test cricket. If there's a situation, I will vouch for that to be used all over the world because of the consistency of the ball and how the bowlers are in the game at any stage, even the spinners, because the seam is so hard and upright.”

 

Here’s Everything You Should Know about a Cricket Ball: Know its Size, Weight, and Dimensions:

A cricket ball is made up from cork strips, with strings tightly wounded around it. The core is covered with the leather case which is bounded by a protruding seam. The ball has six stitches; three on either side of the leather casing. The slightly protruding seam is rotated at 90 degrees so that the ball has a uniform shape.

As per the rulebook of Cricket, a cricket ball has to weigh between 5.5 and 5.75 ounces and its measurement must be between 8 13/16 and 9 inches in circumference, in terms of Men’s cricket. As for Women’s cricket, the weight should be between 4 15/16 and 5 1/16 ounces, and it should measure between 8.3 inches and 8.9 inches in circumference.

Currently, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not laid down any guidelines for the usage of a particular type of cricket ball in Test or any format of the game.

However, the teams of Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka prefer the usage of Kookaburra balls at home. As for England and the West Indies, they use Duke cricket balls. India, however, has always preferred the SG cricket balls. Currently, India has been using their home-made 'SG Test' cricket balls, which are manufactured by Meerut-based Sanspareils Greenlands company.

Supporting his premier bowler’s R Ashwin’s thoughts, Kohli said, “I agree with him. To have a ball scuffed up in five overs is something that we haven't seen before. The quality of the ball used to be quite high before, and I don't understand the reason why it has gone down. A Dukes ball is still good quality; Kookaburra is still good quality. Whatever limitations a Kookaburra might have (seam goes flat), the quality is never compromised.”

During the first Test match against Windies at Rajkot, India’s lead spinner in Tests, Ashwin said, “Right now, I would say Kookaburra red ball is a lot better ball, Dukes is also right up there. Pretty disappointed with the current SG ball. It used to be top-notch, the seam used to stand up strong even after 70-80 overs. It's not the same anymore.”

Talking about the fundamental differences between the cricket balls used across the globe in different forms of cricket, a different type of ball is used due to the nature of the pitch, the weather conditions and keeping other several factors into the mind.

Kookaburra balls, which are used by Australia and other countries, are made from machines, and the seams are levelled low. As for SG balls, they are hand-made, and the seams on the balls are wide. The Duke balls are handmade too. However, they are a little darker in colour compared to the Kookaburra and SG cricket balls!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2018 02:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).