Key favours Kookaburra because 'you really work out who can bowl'
The Guardian|April 17, 2024
The early-season trial of the Kookaburra ball in the County Championship has been hailed as a success by Rob Key, with the England men's team director keen to make it a permanent fixture throughout the domestic first-class summer.
Ali Martin
Key favours Kookaburra because 'you really work out who can bowl'

Speaking after the second round of fixtures to use the Kookaburra, Key shared his view that using a less bowler-friendly ball than the Dukes had brought out the requisite skills for Test cricket by increasing the volume of spin bowling, rewarding seamers who have extra pace, and allowing batters to go big when set.

"I think it's been fantastic," said Key. "You see what four-day cricket is meant to be. I've watched quite a bit this week and seen some bloody good cricket. I would use the Kookaburra all the time. English cricket would be much better off for it." All nine matches in the second round ended in draws for only the third time in history, it should be noted, while Essex beating Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in their opening fixture remains the one positive result from the 18 so far. The Kookaburra, which has a less prominent seam and goes softer earlier, has clearly been a significant factor.

Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin April 17, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin April 17, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

THE GUARDIAN DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
'So what next?' Guardiola admits he may do only one more season at City
The Guardian

'So what next?' Guardiola admits he may do only one more season at City

Manager hails 'impossible' achievement after winning a sixth title in seven years

time-read
3 dak  |
May 20, 2024
Caicedo's long shot helps clinch European football for Chelsea
The Guardian

Caicedo's long shot helps clinch European football for Chelsea

When Mauricio Pochettino sits down with Chelsea's board for the review that will determine whether he continues as head coach, perhaps he can point to the fact that he has imbued his collection of young talents with so much confidence that European football was secured in part thanks to Moisés Caicedo scoring from halfway.

time-read
3 dak  |
May 20, 2024
Havertz's winner in vain as Arsenal fall just short
The Guardian

Havertz's winner in vain as Arsenal fall just short

For a few seconds, the miracle that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans so craved seemed as if it might happen.

time-read
3 dak  |
May 20, 2024
United look to future as De Zerbi bows out
The Guardian

United look to future as De Zerbi bows out

If one manager's future is settled, the other's hangs in the balance.

time-read
3 dak  |
May 20, 2024
Wood quick off the mark to confirm survival for Forest
The Guardian

Wood quick off the mark to confirm survival for Forest

Even the most pessimistic of Nottingham Forest fans could enjoy the confirmation of Premier League survival, leading from the second minute of their victory over Burnley to guarantee a third consecutive season in the top flight.

time-read
2 dak  |
May 20, 2024
Usyk the rightful king after digging deep to rock Fury
The Guardian

Usyk the rightful king after digging deep to rock Fury

Ukrainian unites division as brutal assault in closing rounds stuns Gypsy King

time-read
3 dak  |
May 20, 2024
Verstappen holds off thrilling surge from Norris to claim dramatic win
The Guardian

Verstappen holds off thrilling surge from Norris to claim dramatic win

Proof then that there is life yet in the old dog, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix delivered an Imola finale worthy of the venerable venue.

time-read
3 dak  |
May 20, 2024
'A plane for the summer' Luxury trade fair woos global super-rich
The Guardian

'A plane for the summer' Luxury trade fair woos global super-rich

\"There are enough people, with enough money to buy them,\" Sharmaine Guelas says as she shows off the specifications of a £3.2m forest green five-passenger helicopter at Elite London, a \"luxury\" trade fair.

time-read
2 dak  |
May 20, 2024
Viagogo sorry for 'mistakenly' advertising England tickets
The Guardian

Viagogo sorry for 'mistakenly' advertising England tickets

The ticket trading website Viagogo has apologised for \"mistakenly\" advertising tickets for a forthcoming England football match, despite the fact that the resale of football tickets is illegal in the UK.

time-read
1 min  |
May 20, 2024
'So many scary moments' Chronicling civilians forced to flee from Ukraine's frontlines
The Guardian

'So many scary moments' Chronicling civilians forced to flee from Ukraine's frontlines

There's a moment in Ivan Sautkin's new documentary, A Poem for Little People, in which a humanitarian volunteer tries to reason with a group of women filling cans with the grimy water that has collected in a shell hole in their suburban street. They should come with him now, says the volunteer, Anton Yaremchuk.

time-read
4 dak  |
May 20, 2024