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‘Kookaburra' ball plan for county game to boost Ashes preps.
Elizabeth Ammon.
The Times.
Wednesday, 4 December 2019.
PTG 2960-14685.
The Australian made ‘Kookaburra' ball could be used for some County Championship games as part of a plan to get England ready for the next Ashes series in Australia. The England and Wales Cricket Board’s (EWCB) Cricket Committee, chaired by Andrew Strauss, has been discussing a range of proposals designed to make the county game better preparation for Test matches, particularly away from home.
There is a concern that English Test teams struggle to bowl sides out on flat pitches abroad. The ‘Kookaburra' ball does not swing as much or for as long as the ‘Dukes' ball (which its used for EWCB fixtures), and has a reputation for going soft quicker, making it much harder for traditional English swing and seam bowlers to be effective.
One of the plans Strauss’ committee have considered is using the ‘Kookaburra' ball, which is widely used abroad and provides less help to the bowlers than the ‘Dukes', in two or three rounds of the County Championship starting next northern summer or a year later, before the tour over the southern summer of 2021-22. Australian domestic teams have used the ‘Dukes' in some rounds of the Sheffield Shield since 2016 following the defeat in the Ashes in England in 2015 (PTG 2938-14581, 7 November 2019).
As well as the possible introduction of the ‘Kookaburra' ball, the committee has discussed scrapping the uncontested toss in the Championship and giving greater support to the first-class groundsmen to prepare better pitches. There is a recognition that it is a challenge for the groundsmen given how much of the county season is played outside the main summer months (PTG 2954-14655, 29 November 2019).
Ashley Giles, England’s director of cricket and Chris Silverwood, the new head coach. are keen on the County Championship being played at the same time as the Hundred tournament in July and August and moving the 50-over competition to another time in the calendar. For the 2020 season the 50-over one-day cup will run alongside the Hundred but the schedule could be altered for the 2021 season.
The Australian made ‘Kookaburra' ball could be used for some County Championship games as part of a plan to get England ready for the next Ashes series in Australia. The England and Wales Cricket Board’s (EWCB) Cricket Committee, chaired by Andrew Strauss, has been discussing a range of proposals designed to make the county game better preparation for Test matches, particularly away from home.
There is a concern that English Test teams struggle to bowl sides out on flat pitches abroad. The ‘Kookaburra' ball does not swing as much or for as long as the ‘Dukes' ball (which its used for EWCB fixtures), and has a reputation for going soft quicker, making it much harder for traditional English swing and seam bowlers to be effective.
One of the plans Strauss’ committee have considered is using the ‘Kookaburra' ball, which is widely used abroad and provides less help to the bowlers than the ‘Dukes', in two or three rounds of the County Championship starting next northern summer or a year later, before the tour over the southern summer of 2021-22. Australian domestic teams have used the ‘Dukes' in some rounds of the Sheffield Shield since 2016 following the defeat in the Ashes in England in 2015 (PTG 2938-14581, 7 November 2019).
As well as the possible introduction of the ‘Kookaburra' ball, the committee has discussed scrapping the uncontested toss in the Championship and giving greater support to the first-class groundsmen to prepare better pitches. There is a recognition that it is a challenge for the groundsmen given how much of the county season is played outside the main summer months (PTG 2954-14655, 29 November 2019).
Ashley Giles, England’s director of cricket and Chris Silverwood, the new head coach. are keen on the County Championship being played at the same time as the Hundred tournament in July and August and moving the 50-over competition to another time in the calendar. For the 2020 season the 50-over one-day cup will run alongside the Hundred but the schedule could be altered for the 2021 season.
Perhaps the first glimmer of some better news.
ReplyDeleteBet some of our 'famed' cartel are already having nightmares after hearing this news.
ReplyDeleteYes, the now decimated " famed cartel", will be having sleepless nights after this news.
DeleteA half decent swing bowler is useful with this ball.Unfortunately for Notts, the one we has has gone to Lanky, and will only re appear for the beloved Trent Rockets.
Michael Newell logic and forward planning in action
DeleteDidn't renew my membership for 2019 and haven't for 2020.dont like the " direction of travel".sometimes you have to make a stand,whilst not cutting off your nose to spite your face.however,if the championship is restored to being a summer rather than a winter sport I may make a comeback in 2021.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear 'FRBB' that you have placed principles ahead of membership. Having said that I believe that any new 'direction of travel' probably owes more to other Counties than to Notts. Notts membership has for far too long been in 'awe' of their Committee and continued to elect members to it who do not really represent their views. let's hope that the tide is now turning.
DeleteYes, losing Seabiscuit(Woody) is perhaps unfortunate. From what I've heard we were not desperate to keep him and he was keen to relocate, but we are now without Coughlin and Milnes also.According to the Nottm Post we are trying to bring in an experienced bowler(as long as they are up to the required standard) to replace what we've lost from the squad. Cannot wait to see who comes in if recent history is anything to go by.
ReplyDeleteNoticed the Talk of TB podcast is back again on Pravda(Notts Website/Twitter)......no Fletch or Bally just some journo. Mull is in the first episode and he's certainly TALKING a good game. Apparently Habib was ill doing the Gotham Hill challenge which is similar to what we felt watching them most days in the county championship last season.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Haseeb.
Delete