The Dukes ball has faced fresh criticism on day two of the Lord’s Test between England and India after two changes within 20 overs of taking the new ball.
India took the second new ball at 80.1 overs of England’s innings. At the start of day two, Jasprit Bumrah removed Ben Stokes for 44, adding just five runs to his overnight score of 39. In his next over, Bumrah struck twice, dismissing centurion Joe Root and Chris Woakes off consecutive deliveries, reducing England from 260-5 to 271-7.
Just three overs later – within 11 overs of taking the second new ball – India complained to umpire Sharfuddoula about the ball’s condition. When it failed the gauge test, it was replaced, with England at 297-7. After the fourth ball of the 99th over, India requested another change which was granted as well.
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad expressed dismay at the quality of the balls, calling it "unacceptable".
"The cricket ball should be like a fine wicket keeper. Barely noticed," Broad posted on X.
"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."
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.
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) July 11, 2025
Dukes have a problem. They need to fix it. A…
Here are some of the other reactions to the balls being changed repeatedly:
Maybe it is time the ECB started looking for an alternative to the Dukes ball.
— WG RumblePants (@WG_RumblePants) July 11, 2025
There must be someone out there who can make a decent ball suitable for English conditions that lasts 80 overs.
India questioned for requesting swift ball change
Captain Shubman Gill also drew criticism for repeated requests for the ball to be changed, particularly from Nasser Hussain on commentary, after India took three quick wickets early on the day. Steve Harmison echoed similar concerns during a mid-lunch chat with the official broadcaster: "I’ve no idea why India changed the ball when Bumrah was swinging it wildly. What followed was an implosion."
Bizarre argument from Nasser, Harmison and others defending the Dukes and blaming India. Should India have concluded that the next ball would be worse? The wickets that fell came when the ball was in-shape, so what's it about ball was doing wonders for India argument. Makes no…
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) July 11, 2025
England raced to 353-7 by lunch with Jamie Smith, who equalled the record as fastest wicketkeeper to 1,000 Test runs, scoring yet another fifty. Bumrah then completed his five-wicket haul, while Mohammed Siraj took the last two, with England being all out for 387.
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Dukes ball faces repeated scrutiny
The Dukes ball – generally used in red-ball cricket in England – has faced repeated scrutiny during the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar trophy. After India’s record overseas win at Edgbaston, Shubman Gill voiced frustration, complaining, "The ball is going soft and losing shape too quickly."
"If you know there are only 20 overs of any help, and then you have to spend the rest of the day on the defensive, thinking only about how to stop the runs, then the game loses its essence," he said.
Frequent ball changes have been a constant feature of the series, with Rishabh Pant even sanctioned by the ICC after India were denied a change at Leeds. At Edgbaston, England also complained, after four unsuccessful requests from the 16th over, they were finally granted one in the 56th over.
During the West Indies-Australia Test series, too, Josh Hazlewood voiced his displeasure, saying he has never bowled with a softer 70-over-old ball.
A few days back, Dilip Jajodia, owner of England’s Dukes ball factory, addressed the criticisms in an interview with Mumbai Mirror, stating: "Nobody discusses the flat pitches or the bowlers’ form and skill." He also proposed a rule change, suggesting the new ball be taken between 60-70 overs.
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