England captain Joe Root is not satisfied with the quality of Dukes balls despite winning the Test series against Pakistan. The hosts have taken a 2-0 lead following their 194-run win over the visiting side at Lord’s. Root thinks Dukes has changed the composition of the red ball, leading to firmness for a longer duration in the longest format of the game. He said that it was one of the reasons for the low scores in the ongoing bilateral assignment between England and Pakistan, with no batter amassing a hundred in the first two fixtures.
England’s total of 409 in the first innings of the series opener in Leeds was just the second instance when a team was able to go past the 400-run mark this summer. Earlier, New Zealand had accumulated 438 in the series-deciding third Test at Trent Bridge. Pakistan haven’t crossed 200 in their four attempts, struggling against the England fast bowlers. Ollie Robinson has been unstoppable, with 16 wickets from two Tests at an average of 8.34.
Root has scored just 94 runs in three innings against Pakistan, with just one contest remaining in the series.
“I think the balls have been different this year. The lacquer is different. I don’t have supporting evidence and will ask Dukes about it. I think the seam has a lacquer. They don’t want the balls to lose shape in order to avoid changes,” Root said.
Lacquer is a liquid coating sprayed on the leather surface to give it a shiny, protective, and smooth finish. Apart from giving a protective layer to the seam, it helps in swing by making the aerodynamics of the ball smoother. It is one of the most important features of the Dukes balls used in Test cricket.
“The Dukes balls are now firmer, and the seam is making it move more. Sometimes in the summers, there is a perfect storm. The conditions are overcast, and there is rain as well. The balls are different, and it’s hard. But that’s part and parcel of the game as Test cricket is always challenging,” he concluded.
England have returned to winning ways under Root’s leadership. Ben Stokes retired from international cricket after losing the Test series to New Zealand, and the ECB decided to hand over the captain’s armband to the greatest England batter.
Harry Brook was the front-runner, but the decision-makers voted in favour of the legendary batter.
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