The Dukes cricket ball, long considered a staple of Test matches in England, has come under intense scrutiny during the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. With unusually dry summer conditions and flat pitches offering little assistance to bowlers, both India and England have raised serious concerns about the ball’s rapid deterioration and inconsistent performance.
In the first two Tests, multiple ball-change requests were made by both teams due to the Dukes ball losing its shape and going soft far too early. Indian vice-captain Rishabh Pant didn’t mince words when asked about the issue ahead of the third Test at Lord’s.
“In this series I have seen the ball getting de-shaped too much, and that has never happened to me. It’s definitely irritating for the players because every ball plays in a different way,” Pant said. “When it becomes softer, sometimes it’s not doing too much. But as soon as you change the ball, it starts to do enough. So as a batsman, you’ve got to keep adjusting to it. But at the same time, I feel it’s not good for cricket eventually…”
Pant’s frustration is shared by India captain Shubman Gill, who earlier voiced his dissatisfaction with the quality of the Dukes ball. The criticism gained further traction on Wednesday when England captain Ben Stokes echoed the sentiment.
“We’re not the only ones—whenever touring teams come here, there have been issues with the ball going soft and out of shape,” Stokes said. “It was definitely an issue at Edgbaston, and it’s something all bowling attacks have had to contend with.”
Stokes also questioned the tools used by umpires to judge ball shape. “I’m not even sure the rings we use are the standard Dukes rings,” he added, referencing the metal ring used to assess whether the ball has gone out of shape.
The inconsistency of the ball has affected match rhythm and player temperament. In Leeds, Pant was sanctioned by the ICC after reacting angrily when umpires denied a ball-change request. In the second Test, England had to wait until the 56th over on Day 1 for a ball change after repeated complaints.
Despite the growing chorus of criticism, Dilip Jajodia, the manufacturer of the Dukes ball, stood by his product. “It’s a small 156-gramme object, which is being hit with a three-pound piece of wood,” Jajodia told Sportstar. “It is striking stands, concrete pillars, wooden seats more than ever. The ball is deteriorating more alarmingly now because of the conditions of the game.”
As the series progresses, the quality and consistency of the Dukes ball remain in the spotlight. With top players from both sides voicing concerns, cricket’s stakeholders may soon be forced to revisit standards for ball durability, especially in conditions where the margin for error is already slim.
