The England pacer Stuart Broad has complained about the quality of the Dukes ball that is to be used in the England-India Test series. Broad also displayed disappointment on the lifespan of the ball, saying it is unacceptable that the ball does not last the full 80 overs.
India captain Shubman Gill and pacer Mohammed Siraj had earlier also complained about the quality of the ball. Having failed the required test to pass the hoop, the ball was changed by the umpires. But the substitute ball varied much from the original ball and thus raised more controversy.
Minutes before the end of the first day of the Lord’s test, India was the one to take the second new ball. Its poor quality has been a point of discussion, and many people have asked whether it can last long and the effects it has on the game. There is a further complaint by Broad, who spiked the pitch, as more players voice dissatisfaction.
“Cricket ball should be like a fine wicket-keeper”- Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad, the former England pace bowler, gave into the clamor to criticize the Dukes ball due to its low quality to be used during the five-Test series between India and England and was not pleased that the ball, despite being new, failed to last 80 overs in the day, after which the fielding captain gets the option of entering a new ball. Broad has calculated that recently a lot of people have been talking too much over the ball and it only serves to confirm what many had said: that there is a problem with the Duke, which is not acceptable according to Broad.
The cricket ball should be like a fine wicket keeper. Barely noticed. We are having to talk about the ball too much because it is such an issue & being changed virtually every innings. Unacceptable. Feels like it’s been 5 years now.
Dukes have a problem. They need to fix it. A…— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) July 11, 2025
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