The ongoing England versus India Test series has seen an unusual trend — repeated complaints from bowlers about the condition of the Dukes ball. In all three matches so far, at Headingley, Edgbaston, and Lord’s, players from both teams have approached the umpires multiple times asking for a ball change. The frequent requests have sparked debates among fans and experts alike, with visuals repeatedly showing players examining the ball’s shape or wear within short periods of play.

The Dukes ball, traditionally known for assisting seam and swing in English conditions, hasn’t had the same impact this summer. This has led to growing frustration among bowlers, many of whom have been seen gesturing towards the umpires about the ball’s condition during crucial stages of the game.

Alastair Cook ridicules bowlers for their constant moaning

Former England skipper Alastair Cook didn’t hold back as he took a sly dig at the bowlers’ complaints. Speaking on BBC alongside Isa Guha, Cook questioned the bowlers’ attitude and mocked their tendency to blame the ball every time things don’t go their way.

“I just love how bowlers are always moaning. It’s like they bowl a bad ball and it’s never their fault. They’ve scraped the footmark… If they bowl a bad ball, they look at the ball and blame the shape,” Cook said with a hint of sarcasm.

The legendary opener also weighed in on how an out-of-shape ball can affect batting, adding, “I think a batsman would much rather hit some slightly harder ball. Nothing worse than playing a lovely cover drive like I used to and it going nowhere.”

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Is the quality of Dukes balls declining?

The controversy has also reignited discussions about the declining quality of Dukes balls. Traditionally a prized asset for bowlers in England, the ball has not lived up to expectations in this series. Veteran pacer Stuart Broad, who has now retired, also questioned whether Dukes has compromised on quality.

On social media, fans have floated conspiracy theories, alleging that the manufacturer might have tweaked the ball to suit England’s aggressive “Bazball” batting approach. Whether or not there’s any truth to such claims, the fact remains — the Dukes ball hasn’t been the match-winner it once was.

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