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Kookaburra Vs Dukes
The Tests are considered to be one of the classiest of the formats of cricket. With a match spanning over as long as five days, the Test format tests the endurance of the cricketers.
Of so many factors that define a Test game, the choice of the red ball is a unique one. Test Matches played in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe use the Kookaburra ball. While Test Matches played in England and the West Indies use the Dukes cricket ball.
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For the unawares, here is the Kookaburra Vs Dukes debate.
What is the difference between Kookaburra and Dukes?
Manufacturing
The Kookaburra cricket ball is produced in Melbourne, Australia by the Thompson family-owned business, Kookaburra Sport. The company also has a manufacturing unit in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, which produces equipment for the Indian market.
The Dukes ball is manufactured in London by British Cricket Balls Ltd, a sports equipment company currently owned by Indian-origin businessman Dilip Jajodia. The ball was first manufactured by the Duke family around 1760.
Stitch
The Kookaburra ball has two outer rows of machine-stitching and two inner rows of hand-stitching. The hand-stitched threads hold the two halves together, with an outer row that is stitched to increase the bowler’s grip.
The Dukesball, on the other hand, is completely hand-stitched, giving the ball a prominent seam. Because there are more rows of thread criss-crossing underneath the leather, this meticulous crafting increases its durability and seam integrity.
Seam
Kookaburra has a lower seam in comparison but is easier to grip for spinners. Kookaburra Vs Dukes debate has a crucial role in this regard.
The Dukes ball does more off the seam, making it retain its shape and have a longer-lasting seam compared to a Kookaburra ball. It produces best seaming and swing for pace bowlers.
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Grease
The Kookaburra cricket ball is mostly used in drier and warmer countries, therefore, grease isn’t really necessary. It one of the most important defining point in the Kookaburra Vs Dukes argument.
However, in the case of Dukes ball, grease is applied to the leather during the tanning process. For instance, in England there can be unpredictable downpours, the grease makes the ball waterproof. The grease makes the ball darker and softer.
Surface
Compared to the Dukes cricket ball, the Kookaburra has a flatter surface, which allows the bowlers to have an easier hold on it. This helps in smoother bowling actions and releases, which enhances aiming for bowlers for consistency in line and length.
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Playing Condition
The Kookaburra cricket ball has a swing at first, on the bouncier pitches of Australia, but as the seam is lost, the pacers must rely on the bounce off the tracks for wickets. This is another key point of the Kookaburra vs Dukes choice.
The Dukes cricket ball is way more suited to swing bowling as it retains its seam and shape more, making it withstand overcast conditions and green top pitches.
Kookaburra Vs Dukes has been raging topic in terms of balls preferred by teams or players to have the game their way.
