Hundred-branded balls that stirred controversy banned by ECB as balls used are from the same batch used in the T20 Blast.
ECB ditch controversial Hundred-branded balls.
Following persistent criticism from players, the ECB has discarded a contentious set of white Kookaburra balls that were held responsible for the Hundred’s low scores the previous season.
Although the shorter format should encourage more aggressive batting, last season’s men’s hundred scoring rates dropped to 1.37 runs per ball, much lower than those of other short-form tournaments like the IPL, Major League Cricket, and the SA20. Players anecdotally blamed the batch of balls used, and new-ball specialists like Tim Southee and Daniel Worrall flourished.
Players felt that the balls used in the first four seasons of the Hundred needed more lacquer because of the huge “H” that served as the tournament’s insignia, which gave them a “plasticky” feel. When Moeen Ali informed the Cricketer, “The seam seems to be massive,” “It seems like the ball is nibbling in every game. In most games, most sides are 30 for 5.
While the ECB commissioned a comprehensive study over the winter that found little evidence that the balls behaved differently from those used in other white-ball cricket in England and Wales, Kookaburra insisted that they were made to the same specifications as the white balls used in other domestic and international cricket, aside from the logo.
According to ball-tracking statistics, there was an increase in seam movement and swing at the beginning of Hundred games in 2023 compared to 2022, and this trend persisted from the previous season. Rather than any change in the condition of the balls, this was mostly ascribed to pitches, weather, and the Hundred’s special format, which permits bowlers to bowl 15 of the first 20 balls.
Nevertheless, the ECB has decided to forgo the Hundred-branded balls in favour of using the same set of balls from the 2025 T20 Blast. After receiving constant criticism, they expect that the change will appease players and increase scoring rates by giving bowlers the impression that they are receiving less help.
On a slow, low pitch, Oval Invincibles bowled out London Spirit’s team for 80 in Tuesday night’s curtain-raiser, showing that the adjustment had little effect. Rashid Khan observed, “It was a tough wicket to bat on,” following his debut performance of 3 for 11 for the two-time reigning champions.