Derek Pringle

BATTLE OF BAT AND BALL IS A THING OF THE PAST

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Thrilling though all the record-breaking was by England at Trent Bridge, inflicting as it did Australia’s heaviest one-day defeat by virtue of runs, there was something strangely unsatisfying about all the boundary hitting.

It probably has something to do with me wearing my old bowler’s hat, but carnage like that should not seem routine. Jonny Bairstow has become an incredible batsman of sublime and powerful gifts, but when he can hit boundaries seemingly at will, he is not partaking of a contest I want to watch.

Bowlers need to have something by which to retort or the game will no longer be a conflict between bat and ball but bat and bat, with games decided on who has the better equipment, like Formula One. If that prevails, bowlers may as well be replaced by bowling machines.

Those who view sport as a ruthless meritocracy will say it is up to the bowlers to find ways of preventing the boundary glut. Normally, I’d agree, but they need one or two things to change to give them a helping hand, starting with the ball.

At present, white Kookaburra balls are used, a new one at either end for each innings. Currently, every team in the world takes them though they do not have to. It is only because they are the official ball of ICC tournaments like the World Cup, Champions Trophy and World T20 that teams feel it is prudent to use them.