Ball Specifications (Dukes, Kookaburra, SG)

Details

Three main cricket ball manufacturers supply international cricket:

Dukes: Used in England and West Indies. Has a pronounced, hand-stitched seam that stays raised longer. Swings more and for longer periods. Generally favors bowlers.

Kookaburra: Used in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and most ICC events. Machine-stitched with a flatter seam. Swings early but the seam flattens after 20-30 overs, reducing swing and seam movement. Generally considered more batsman-friendly after the initial period.

SG (Sanspareils Greenlands): Used in India. Behavior falls between Dukes and Kookaburra. Lacquer comes off relatively quickly but the seam remains prominent. Can reverse swing earlier than Kookaburra.

The ICC uses Kookaburra for most global events (World Cups, WTC Final). There has been ongoing debate about standardizing the ball across all cricket.

Historical Evolution

Cricket balls have been manufactured for centuries, but the current three-brand system evolved in the 20th century. Dukes has been making balls since 1760. Kookaburra was founded in 1890. SG began manufacturing in India in 1931.

The pink ball for day-night Tests was developed primarily by Kookaburra, with modifications to maintain visibility under floodlights.