India and Australia will play in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final at The Oval in London, England beginning on June 7.
Since the match will be held at a neutral venue, there were discussions over which red ball -- Kookaburra or Dukes -- will be used for the match.
The ICC, however, confirmed that the Dukes ball will be used for the WTC Final.
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What is the Dukes ball?
One of the oldest pieces of equipment used in cricket is the Dukes ball. It has roots that go back more than 250 years, to the 1760s. The English cricket team uses Dukes ball when playing at home in Test matches.
The Dukes Cricket Company, which is presently owned by Indian businessman Dilip Jajodia, produces the Dukes ball in England. Apart from England, Ireland and the West Indies also use it.
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What is the difference between Dukes, SG, and Kookaburra balls?
The stitching is the most fundamental distinction. The Dukes and SG balls are hand-stitched. The hand-stitched ball's thread is more noticeable and remains there for a longer period of time.
Kookaburra is primarily a machine-stitched ball. The two outer rows on each side are machine stitched, while the two inner rows are hand stitched. The Kookaburra cricket ball doesn't swing as much as the Dukes since it is mostly embedded in the surface.
The Dukes ball's seam features six stitch rows that go backwards and forth along each of the ball's two sides.
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If the fielding side uses it properly, it keeps its shape and strength for a longer period of time, and the seam is preserved. The seam is more obvious since the threads on the SG ball are thicker. The stitches are closer together than Dukes.
The Dukes ball allows swing bowling for up to 60 overs because of its additional lacquer and classic blood cherry hue, which also prolongs shine retention. Dukes ball, together with England's favourable swing conditions, should benefit both sides' pacers.
India use SG balls for a specific reason. Even on the first or second day in India, the pitch might begin to break up, which allows the spinners to play by taking advantage of the wear and tear on the pitch. Thus, it is anticipated that the hand-stitched SG ball will survive longer and perform better.
After the SG ball's initial sheen fades, the bowlers begin meticulously preparing/polishing one side. The two differing qualities of a cricket ball's two sides (rough and shiny), the direction the seam is pointing when the bowler delivers the ball, and the laws of aerodynamics all play a role in the swing (conventional/reverse/contrast).
The Kookaburra ball is best for use on the bouncy tracks of Australia and South Africa. When the seam is lost, the pacers can rely on the bounce off the tracks for breakthroughs even when there is early swing. But with time, the Kookaburra does have a tendency to lose shape.
