WICB reverts to Kookaburra balls for tourney
FOLLOWING numerous complaints, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has reverted to using Kookaburra balls for the remainder of the current regional first-class four-day tournament.
This will certainly be welcomed news for both players and coaches who complained bitterly after the first round that the Venom brand used was significantly inferior to the internationally preferred Kookaburra brand.
In an Observer follow-up, a reliable Jamaican source said the Kookaburra balls will be used for the remaining season, starting in the third round.
Both players and officials from the Jamaica and Windward Islands teams sharply criticised the quality of the Venom balls used in their opening fixture at Chedwin Park, Jamaica.
The criticism was directed at the ball’s questionable durability after umpires were twice forced to change the ball before the scheduled 80 overs during the four-day encounter, which defending champions Jamaica won by five wickets.
Research in Australia has found that inferior cricket balls can predetermine the outcome of a match, bringing its integrity into question.
When the Observer broke the story a few days ago, Jamaica coach Junior Bennett said at the time that the Venom balls used in the game are simply not durable as they warp easily due to its rapid loss of hardness.
Bennett also said a similar complaint was made during the Barbados/Leeward Islands game at Kensington Park in East Kingston.
Cost seemed to be the main reason for the WICB’s decision to use the Venom balls, said to cost at least US$20 less than the Kookaburra brand.
Now that the Kookaburra balls are the accepted choice, the quality of play in the regional tournament could also improve.