SLC replaced the Kookaburra ball with SG in domestic cricket.
I think initially bowlers seem to have struggled with the SG ball and hence the high scores. It seems to be leveling out as the season has progresses with the bowlers gradually adapting to the new ball.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=218339
I think initially bowlers seem to have struggled with the SG ball and hence the high scores. It seems to be leveling out as the season has progresses with the bowlers gradually adapting to the new ball.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=218339
Quote:Balls; size and price matters
February 6, 2020, 12:00 pm
by Rex Clementine
Sri Lanka’s First Class season has barely started but there’s been already a triple hundred – Ramesh Mendis for Moors and almost another one – 290 not out by Lahiru Udara – for NCC. Then there’s also Lahiru Milantha of Badureliya, who posted 252. All these happened over the weekend in the very first week of domestic cricket. At that rate, even Brian Lara’s World Record of 501 – scored for Warwickshire against Durham is not safe. All the more reason to worry as Kumar Sangakkara is set to make a comeback into First Class cricket representing MCC against County Champions Essex in Galle in March.
The bowlers obviously are not having much fun and when contacted by The Island, several of them pointed out the change of brand of balls used for domestic cricket has left a bitter taste in their mouth. Traditionally, Sri Lanka Cricket has been using Kookaburra balls made in Australia, shiny and more expensive but for this season they have changed to SG balls made in India, smaller in size and less expensive.
Bowlers have grumbled about the development but SLC has rubbished the criticism calling it sour grapes. Several board officials whom we spoke to insisted that domestic cricket had to become a level playing field as bowlers had enjoyed the upper hand in recent times. In recent years, First Class matches barely lasted two days with spin bowlers dominating not only sharing the new ball but finishing the season with enviable averages. However, when they turned up at the Test arena they were well and truly exposed and administrators had promised to address the issue.
The reason for the shift is not just technical. The SG ball costing only Rs. 7500 is much cheaper than the Kookaburra that’s priced at Rs. 19,000.
The SG ball that is used in India is similar to the Dukes used in England. Kookaburra is used not only in Australia but in most other parts as well.
The SG ball gives a better grip and fast bowlers seem to be not having much problem with these although it is difficult to get much swing early on in the innings. Unlike the Kookaburra ball that goes soft faster, the SG ball remains hard and the feature that batters love most about it is that it comes onto the bat.
The players’ concern is understandable as for international games in Sri Lanka so far what has been used is the Kookaburra ball and adjusting to it could prove tougher. The issue has been addressed by the players with Sri Lanka Head Coach Mickey Arthur, who has promised to take up the matter with authorities.
However, batters seem to be enjoying these new balls. Their size and price seem to be nice too.