Cricket Ball Types Compared: Dukes, Kookaburra and SG
The three major cricket ball manufacturers produce balls with distinct seam profiles, lacquer finishes and reverse swing onset times. Learn how each ball shapes playing conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Can teams choose which ball brand to use?
No. The host board specifies which ball is used in their home Tests, and the visiting team must accept those conditions. This is a significant advantage: teams playing at home on their pitches with their preferred ball have a well-documented competitive edge. England at home with Dukes on seaming tracks is a very different proposition from England away on flat pitches with Kookaburra.
Why does the ball matter so much in reverse swing?
Reverse swing physics require a heavy, hard ball moving quickly with one side rough and the other shiny. Different ball types reach the 'reversible' state at different points — a Kookaburra may reverse from the 40-over mark, a Dukes rarely reverses in the same way because it stays hard and shiny on both sides longer. This is why reverse swing is more commonly seen in subcontinental conditions (SG and Kookaburra) than in England.