The mysteries of the Dukes cricket ball
The Dukes cricket ball is used for England and Welsh first class cricket matches including Test Matches. Its history dates back to 1760 in Tonbridge Kent.
In fact Dukes is a global cricket ball business. Negotiations have been underway for the ball to be used in Indian cricket for example.
The UK operation is run from a back street unit in Walthamstow North-East London. It seems like a slightly odd arrangement as British Cricket Balls Ltd (the UK front for the Dukes ball)does not have an actual contract with the ECB that runs cricket in England and Wales. Its owned by MCC member Dilip Jajodia, who also owns the cricket equipment company Morrant
In recent seasons there have been increasing issues with balls going out of shape and needing to be changed before the 80 over ‘new ball’ cut off. Possible reasons include the use of heavier bats, electronic advertising boundary boards that can damage the ball and more six hitting, meaning balls can land on concrete beyond the boundary.
One suggestion is that the ball change should be 60 not 80 overs.
The process of production has not obviously changed in recent times, although details are rather less than transparent. It might be assumed that quality control and checking of the balls is done at Walthamstow as is, perhaps, the production of the basic ball. Hand Stitching, lacquering etc is done in the Sub-Continent.
English leather is still used for the balls, although reportedly the long term preferred supplier ceased trading in the pandemic period and the leather has to be sourced from elsewhere. An issue with consistency might be a question here.
Cricket is a game but in 2025 also a global business. Cricket ball production is the same but like cricket itself it has elements of less regimented past.
Leave a Reply