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Key Points

The ECB has decided to stop using Hundred-branded Kookaburra balls after players complained about excessive seam movement affecting scoring rates. Despite a study showing minimal performance differences, the board is reverting to T20 Blast balls for the 2025 season. Bowlers like Tim Southee thrived last year, but batters struggled with low totals. The change aims to improve batting conditions, though early results remain mixed.

Key Points: ECB Drops Hundred-Branded Kookaburra Balls After Player Criticism

  • Players criticized Hundred-branded balls for excessive seam movement
  • Scoring rates dropped to 1.37 runs per ball in 2023
  • ECB study found no major difference in ball performance
  • Switch to T20 Blast balls aims to boost batting conditions
2 min read

ECB to abandon Hundred-branded balls

ECB abandons Hundred-branded balls after players blamed them for low scores, reverting to T20 Blast balls for 2025 season.

"The seam seems to be massive. In every game, it seems the ball is nipping. Most teams are 30 for 5 in most games. – Moeen Ali"

London, August 6

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will not use the white Kookaburra balls that came with a Hundred-branding as it was criticised by several players for low scores in the tournament last year, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Despite the shorter format theoretically favouring more aggressive hitting, the men's Hundred's scoring rate fell to 1.37 runs per ball last season, which is much lower than other shorter formats like the IPL, Major League Cricket, and the SA20.

Players attributed the batch of balls used, and specialised new-ball bowlers like Tim Southee and Daniel Worrall excelled.

"The seam seems to be massive. In every game, it seems the ball is nipping. Most teams are 30 for 5 in most games," Moeen Ali said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

The ECB commissioned a comprehensive study over the winter that revealed little proof that the balls performed differently from those used in other white-ball cricket throughout England and Wales, despite Kookaburra's assertion that they were manufactured to the same specifications beyond the logo.

The ECB has chosen to abandon the Hundred-branded balls, switching back to the same set that was used in the T20 Blast for the 2025 campaign. They hope that the change, which follows repeated unfavourable comments, will please players and that the impression of less support for bowlers will result in quicker scoring rates.

However, the change made no apparent difference in Tuesday night's curtain-raiser, with London Spirit's men bowled out for 80 by Oval Invincibles on a slow, low surface.

"It was a tough wicket to bat on," Rashid Khan said, after taking 3 for 11 on debut for the two-time defending champions.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Ananya R
Interesting move but 80 all out in the first match after changing balls? 😅 Maybe the problem isn't just the balls but the English conditions and pitches. Indian batters would have handled this better - we're used to variable bounce in domestic cricket!
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Sarah B
As someone who enjoys both IPL and The Hundred, I appreciate ECB listening to player feedback. But they should be careful not to overcorrect - some bowler dominance makes matches more interesting than constant six-fests.
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Vikram M
Kookaburra balls have always been tricky in English conditions. Maybe ECB should consider using Duke balls like in county cricket? Our Indian bowlers perform well with SG Test balls - equipment matters more than people think!
K
Kavya N
The real issue is trying to force an Indian-style T20 tournament in England. Different conditions need different approaches. Instead of copying IPL, ECB should focus on what makes English cricket unique. 🏏
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Michael C
Respectfully disagree with some comments here. The Hundred has its own charm and doesn't need to be like IPL. Low-scoring thrillers can be just as exciting as run-fests. Variety is good for cricket globally.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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