The early season trial of the Kookaburra ball in the County Championship has been hailed as a success by Rob Key
Men’s team director delighted by results of batter-friendly ballhas been hailed as a success by Rob Key, with the England men’s team director keen to make it a permanent fixture throughout the domestic first-class summer.to use the Kookaburra, Key shared his view that using a less bowler-friendly ball than the traditional Dukes had brought out the requisite skills for Test cricket by increasing the volume of spin bowling, rewarding seamers with extra pace and allowing batters to go big when set.
Indeed, while batting averages have been higher in April in recent years, it has been a veritable feast to start the 2024 season, with 44.49 runs per wicket the highest figure in a month since September 1938. Ten scores of 150 or more were made in round two – a record for a single set of championship fixtures starting on the same day. Across the four Kookaburra rounds in the last two years there have been 39.54 runs scored per wicket, compared with 31.79 in 12 Dukes ball rounds in 2023.
The deployment of spin has increased. Slow bowlers sent down 37% of deliveries in the first two rounds, compared with just 17% in the equivalent rounds last year. Key has noted early success for wrist-spinners among them, with Mason Crane, Calvin Harrison, Matt Critchley and Cameron Steel in the wickets. Surrey, the defending champions, have already taken more wickets with spin than the whole of last season .
Key said: “That looked a turgid pitch but are much better equipped for international cricket than if they bowled on English snake pits with a Dukes ball moving all over the place. The best bowlers come from the flattest pitches.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
England chief Rob Key rules Jofra Archer out of Test cricket this summerFast bowler set to focus on white-ball internationals this summer and England hope he will be ready for the T20 World Cup in June
Read more »
In pictures: Rare white kookaburra spotted on Queenslander's fenceA lucky local has photographed a rare, white kookaburra in Wynnum, Queensland this week, with the beloved b...
Read more »
Rob Irwin question that bugs Julia MorrisWhen Robert Irwin linked up with long-running presenter Julia Morris to audition as co-host for I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! last year, the production team knew “within four seconds” he was the man for the job.
Read more »
Taylor Walker becomes emotional after tragic goal dedication to father-in-law Rob Brown7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Popular Sydney and Melbourne dumpling restaurant Din Tai Fung fined for 'calculated' plan to rob staff7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Din Tai Fung fined $4m for ‘calculated scheme to rob employees’Popular dumpling chain Din Tai Fung and two of its senior managers have been fined more than $4 million for a fraudulent scheme that underpaid the workforce and created fake pay records to conceal the truth.
Read more »