Daily mail

Image Source: IANS

English Cricket Faces A Potential Shortfall Of Dukes Balls Amid Gulf Shipping Disruption

By IANS News March 19, 2026 • 18:22 PM View: 151

British Cricket Balls Ltd: The upcoming English cricket season may face an unusual challenge due to a shortage of Dukes balls, which could affect preparations for both domestic and international matches. Delays in Gulf shipping routes, caused by the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, have slowed the transportation of cricket balls from South Asia to the UK, posing logistical hurdles for the organisers.

The English season is set to start on April 3, but officials report that stock levels of Dukes balls, used in home Tests and the County Championship involving all 18 first-class counties, are already reduced to about half the usual supply. With limited balls available, teams may need to ration their allocations at the beginning of the season.

Dilip Jajodia, owner of British Cricket Balls Ltd, the manufacturer of Dukes balls, highlighted the impact of the Gulf conflict on freight and logistics.

Related Cricket News on Daily mail

Relief For England Players As ECB Rules 'no Misconduct' In Noosa Trip

Wales Cricket Board: The England team heaved a collective sigh of relief as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has given the players a clean chit in the case of alleged excessive drinking during ...

By IANS News

2 months ago
Ashes: Security Heightened For Adelaide Test After Bondi Beach Shooting

South Australia State Premier Peter: Authorities have announced heightened security measures for the third Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval, set to begin on Wednesday, after shooting attacks at Sydney’s Bondi ...

By IANS News

3 months ago
5th Test: Kohli Or Rohit Would’ve Made The Difference In Series Outcome, Says David Lloyd

If Rohit Sharma: Former England cricketer David Lloyd believes the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has cost India crucial moments in the ongoing Test series in England. ...

By IANS News

7 months ago
‘Crucial Asset’ Kuldeep Yadav Must Be Wondering When He’ll Get His Chance, Says Childhood Coach Kapil Dev Pandey

Kapil Dev Pandey: India's left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was consigned to the bench for the first three Tests of India's ongoing tour of England, must be wondering when he will get a chance to ...

By IANS News

8 months ago
Dawson At No.8 Could Make Strong Lower Order For England: Hussain

New Delhi: Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes having left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Dawson at number eight could make for a formidable lower middle order for the hosts’ ahead of the fourth Test against India, ...

By IANS News

8 months ago
'Calling Me And Saying You Need To Retire': Karun Nair Reveals Discouraging Advice From Prominent Indian Cricketer

Vijay Hazare Trophy: India batter Karun Nair, who is on a comeback trail to the red-ball team after a hiatus of eight years, made a shocking revelation that a prominent Indian cricketer advised him to ...

By IANS News

9 months ago
England Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith Likely To Miss First Two ODIs Against India

International Cricket Council: England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith is likely to miss the first two ODIs of the three-match series against India due to calf issues but is expected to fit for the Champions Trophy. ...

By IANS News

1 year ago
Fast-bowler Saqib Mahmood Finally Granted Visa For England's White-ball Tour To India

Wales Cricket Board: England fast-bowler Saqib Mahmood has finally been granted his visa for the side’s upcoming white-ball tour of India, starting with the T20I series opener in Kolkata on January 22. ...

By IANS News

1 year ago
Maybe I Needed Someone To Tap Me On The Shoulder, Says Anderson On International Retirement

New Delhi: James Anderson, whose international career concluded with England’s Test against the West Indies at Lord’s in July, reminisced about his retirement, suggesting that he may have required nudge from the team management to ...

By IANS News

1 year ago
England Looked Bit Lost With When The Ball Spins And Grips: Hussain

What Saud Shakeel: Reflecting on England's 2-1 Test series loss in Pakistan, former captain Nasser Hussain said the Ben Stokes-led side looked a bit lost with both bat and ball when facing deliveries which spun ...

By IANS News

1 year ago
Spin Legend Muralitharan Admits He Is 'definitely Worried' About Test Cricket's Future

New Delhi: Sri Lanka’s spin-bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan said he was definitely worried about the future of Test cricket, adding that his record of picking 800 wickets in the longer format won’t be surpassed by ...

By IANS News

1 year ago
Dan Lawrence Doesn't Look Like A Test Opener: Nasser Hussain

Sir Alastair Cook: Former England captain Nasser Hussain said Dan Lawrence doesn’t give the look of being an opener in Test cricket, adding that he needs to have a solid approach in dealing with deliveries ...

By IANS News

1 year ago
Moeen Was Most Selfless Player To Play For England: Alastair Cook

Test Match Special: In the early hours of Sunday morning, Moeen Ali called the curtains on a solid international career. Following his announcement, England’s all time top run scorer in Test cricket and ex-captain Alastair ...

By IANS News

1 year ago
McCullum Can Make Buttler Enjoy White-ball Cricket A Bit More: Moeen Ali

Following Matthew Mott: All-rounder Moeen Ali, who announced his retirement from international cricket, believes Brendon McCullum is the right man to take the white-ball team forward as the head coach, adding the move will also ...

By IANS News

1 year ago