TryGOLD- Free

How the challenge of batting in Oz changed

Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai|December 18, 2024
KOOKABURRA RELEASED A REDESIGNED BALL FOR TESTS IN 2021 THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE GAME MORE EXCITING, BUT IT HAS ONLY MADE BATTING MORE DIFFICULT
- Ashish Magotra

BRISBANE: It's almost as if they can't stop themselves. The need to be fearless or play their natural game has been embedded deep in the psyche of the modern-day cricketer. 'Go out and express yourself,' they say. But what does that really mean and will that help India save the Brisbane Test?

The eternal truth of cricket is that you have to play to the conditions. You will have the odd performance where the pitch and everything else is taken out of the equation, but on the whole, a tough challenge requires an appropriately gritty response, and that is something India seems to be forgetting.

The consensus in India is that the wickets in Australia are generally true and once you get used to the bounce, there are runs on offer. But since December 2021, things have changed, and much of that is down to the new Kookaburra ball.

In 2021, Kookaburra released a redesigned ball for Test cricket that was supposed to make the game more exciting, but it has only made batting more difficult. A plastic lining was added under the seam to make it stand up and stay harder for longer. An extra layer of lacquer was applied to the ball to harden it, and even though the new ball had the same weight, shape, and seam as the previous Kookaburra Turf ball, the game changed.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HINDUSTAN TIMES NAVI MUMBAIView all
Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai

India curbs import of gold-rich alloys, colloidal metals

THE RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN IMPOSED BECAUSE OF RISING GOLD IMPORTS

time-read
1 min  |
June 20, 2025
Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai

HC bans dumping site near residential school in Igatpuri

COURT SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD IGNORED AN EARLIER FINDING THAT THE LAND WAS UNSUITABLE FOR THAT PURPOSE

time-read
1 min  |
June 20, 2025
Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai

Relatives of surrendered Maoists among 3 killed

Two relatives of a surrendered Maoist and a 13-year-old boy were killed by Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police said on Thursday.

time-read
1 min  |
June 20, 2025
Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai

Gill has improved greatly as captain: GT coach Nehra

Like several far-reaching decisions in Indian cricket successfully tried out first in the Indian Premier League (IPL), such as appointing Rohit Sharma captain, the emergence of Jasprit Bumrah as a world beater and Suryakumar Yadav the T20 batting marauder – the national selectors would hope Shubman Gill's ascent to Test captaincy will also come good.

time-read
2 mins  |
June 20, 2025
Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai

MMRDA to re-tender Thane-Bhayander twin infrastructure projects

L&T HAD MOVED SUPREME COURT, CHALLENGING MMRDA'S DECISION TO AWARD THE CONTRACTS TO HYDERABAD BASED COMPANY, MEIL

time-read
1 min  |
June 20, 2025
Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai

Will Iran Face Chaos if Khamenei is Ousted?

Israel increasingly appears eager to oust the clerical leadership that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution, but is taking a gamble given the Iranian opposition is divided and there is no guarantee new rulers would be any less hardline, analysts say.

time-read
2 mins  |
June 20, 2025
Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai

US Resumes Visa Process for International Students

President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday ordered the resumption of student visa appointments but will significantly tighten its social media vetting in a bid to identify any applicants who may be hostile towards the United States, according to an internal State Department cable reviewed by Reuters.

time-read
1 min  |
June 20, 2025
Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai

Pro-Khalistan Extremism Is a Threat to Canada

Such a Reference to Khalistani Extremism Was Missing From the Canadian Spy Agency's Report for 2023

time-read
2 mins  |
June 20, 2025
Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai

The Emergency and its external dimension

The pain inflicted by the 21-month Emergency rule in India on its body politic and its people continues to hurt even after 50 years.

time-read
4 mins  |
June 20, 2025
Hindustan Times Navi Mumbai

Centre Notifies Draft Rules to Clear Obstacles Near Airports

The central government issued draft rules on Wednesday to regulate and remove physical obstructions around airports, six days after the devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the deadliest in three decades, as authorities separately spoke of plans to survey structures near the city's airport for potential safety violations.

time-read
2 mins  |
June 20, 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more