Players unhappy with board’s decision to reintroduce upgraded SG white ball
Players participating in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament have expressed their unhappiness at BCCI’s decision to reintroduce the upgraded SG white ball in the tournament. They feel that the new ball, which is being tested for the first time, won’t help them prepare for international cricket.
Earlier in 2015, BCCI had decided to introduce the Kookaburra Turf ball in its domestic limited over matches so that the players would get a knowledge of the international scenario. However, the decision to go back to SG balls hasn’t gone down well with the players now, who are participating in the ongoing tournament.
“I don’t know why they are using this ball. This doesn’t feel right at all. “If the ODIs and T20Is at home are played with the Kookaburra Turf balls, it makes little sense to play with these balls in domestic T20,” said an Indian cricket as quoted by TOI.
However, BCCI officials have a different opinion about it.
“This is a newly upgraded variety of the SG white ball. It is being tested for the first time in this tournament,” said an official.
The main difference between the two varieties is that the SG balls are handmade while the Kookaburra is machine-made. “The seam is a lot more pronounced. The balls is taking a lot more turn and if the morning pitch has some assistance, it moves a lot more than usual,” added the player while explaining the differences between the two balls.