The SG balls that are being used in Sri Lanka’s ongoing major league three-day tournament have come under heavy criticism from the players. Many of those complaining are bowlers, who said that they are unable to run through lower-order when it gets old. few spinners, who were among highest wicket tackers in previous seasons, have also spoken about how they felt better bowling with the Kookaburra.
After a forced interruption of months due to Covid-19, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has successfully restarted domestic season this month, in which majority of national players are also participating. However, the poor quality of SG ball has forced players to raise questions.
”To have a ball scuffed up in five overs is something that we haven’t seen before. The quality of the ball used to be quite high before and I don’t understand the reason why it has gone down” a former national captain told Cricket Age.
“The seamers as well are benefited if the ball is hard, you can get that extra pace but if the ball goes so soft in 10-12 overs, then your effort comes down by 20 per cent. I think the quality of the ball has to be maintained, there’s no doubt about that” he added.
Many others are on the opinion that the SG ball quality has gone down in the recent past.
“It has deteriorated significantly. No two ways about it. The ball is losing its shine fast. It’s getting soft after a few overs. It’s losing its shape. They need to get things right. It has to be like earlier it used to be,” a fast bowler, who played for Sri Lanka in last two years, told Cricket Age.
“Otherwise, you have too many dead sessions in a match, which you don’t want to see. You want to see exciting cricket and guys working hard for runs, being in the battle all day” he added.
“Pretty disappointed with the current SG ball. It used to be top-notch, the seam used to stand up strong even after 70-80 overs. It’s not the same anymore. The ball seam is a lot more narrow these days, doesn’t swing much and doesn’t grip as well” an off-spinner, played for Sri Lanka, told Cricket Age.
The SLC, meanwhile, has defended it’s decision, stating that only the three-day encounters are being played with the SG balls after playing domestic T20 and 50-over tournaments with the Kookaburra balls.
“We don’t think there should be ‘global uniformity’ for cricket balls, with each country using their conditions to get home advantage. In the best interest of Sri Lanka cricket, we are applying the same policy. Also, currently there are no guidelines by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and different countries use different balls” a top SLC official told Cricket Age.
“Sometimes there could be a case that one lot (that has come this year) is not good enough. I think they (SG) will fix it. And why only SG, as many cricket legends of world cricket like Sourav Ganguly and Graeme Smith have also said that Kookaburra too is causing problems. Our cricket comittee has approved SG ball and we are fine with that. Mostly, the batsmen are enjoying SG ball and the bowlers will have to work hard to get wickets ” top SLC official added.
While India have been using ‘SG Test’ from early ‘90s (Sonnex was the ball before that) manufactured by Meerut-based Sanspareils Greenlands, England and West Indies use the UK’s Dukes with the most pronounced seam. Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka use the Kookaburra.
In October 2018, India captain Virat Kohli had also complained about the SG balls, saying that Test cricket around the world should be played with the England-made Dukes balls. He had even expressed his displeasure at the poor quality of the SG balls that India use at home.
“The Dukes ball, I think, is the most suited ball for Test cricket. If there’s a situation I would vouch for that to be used all over the world because of the consistency of the ball and how the bowlers are in the game at any stage, even the spinners, because the seam is so hard and upright,” Kohli had said on the eve of the second Test against the West Indies In October 2018.
However, that time, the BCCI also defended SG balls, with former greats like Sourav Ganguly and Mohammad Azharuddin came into the support of cash-rich cricket board.
“If there is a problem with the ball, go to the manufacturer and tell them what’s required to be done. I heard that there were some complaints about how the seam is not up enough and all. Whatever the case, just call them and let them know,” Azharuddin had said, referring Kohli’s complain.
Azhar also spoke about his experience with the Duke ball in India and why it didn’t work back in the 80s.
“I remember the years – since 1984-85 – when the Dukes balls were used and how the seam used to go rough. It was clear that in Indian conditions they wouldn’t work. It was in 1993 when the SG was first introduced and India went on to dominate all cricket they played at home. Look at the overall country-wise average of bowlers bowling with different balls in different conditions. That will give you the answer. So, what’s the fuss about?” he added.
Kookaburra balls are machine-made and have low seam, while the SG balls, in India, are handmade and have a wide seam. Duke balls, also handmade, are manufactured in England. They are darker compared to SG and Kookaburras due to the coating of lacquer.
BCCI had used SG white ball in the previous domestic seasons. However, the ball could not live up to the expectations of captains and coaches as they complained regarding the same. On the other hand, SG red ball has continued to do a fine job and thus BCCI technical committee decided to retain it.
