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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ali Martin

THE TRUTH ABOUT: England s rob key backs kookaburra ball for full time use in county cricket - The Untold Story

A Kookaburra ball on the outfield during Hampshire v Lancashire at the Ageas Bowl
The Kookaburra ball has a less prominent seam and goes softer earlier, contributing to high scores. Photograph: Neil Marshall/ProSports/Shutterstock

The early-season trial of the ­Kookaburra ball in the County Championship has 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.

Speaking after the second round of fixtures 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 who have extra pace, and allowing batters to go big when set.

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