England’s plans to regain the Ashes later this year using a batch of last summer’s lively Dukes balls have been scuppered because the ECB’s supply has all but run out.
The seam on this year’s selection has been stitched more tightly - a directive from the board aimed at reducing the number of medium-pacers relying on help from the ball to get their wickets, especially on fresh, early-season pitches.
And with Australia’s batsmen traditionally vulnerable to lateral movement, the new-style Dukes - which is expected to do less off the pitch and through the air than its predecessor - has caused consternation in the England dressing-room.
Sportsmail understands that the leftovers from last year’s batch of balls are currently being stored in a handful of boxes in a cupboard at Lord’s.
But there are not enough to last a five-match Test series: not only would both sides need to be able to practice with the 2018 version in the build-up to games, but balls are routinely changed during matches.
Once it became clear there was a shortfall in last year’s batch, England were forced to abandon the idea of taking them out of storage for use against Australia. The initial enthusiasm was understandable: Australia’s totals on their previous visit here, in 2015, included 136 at Edgbaston and, famously, 60 at Trent Bridge, where Stuart Broad took eight for 15.
Since the Australians last won in England in 2001, their batsmen have averaged nearly 44 per wicket in home Ashes Tests and 33 away - a discrepancy that has contributed to 19 wins out of 25 in Australia, but only four out of 20 in England, where they have lost their last four series - their worst sequence since the 19th century. – Daily Mail
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