'Well, who picked that ball that did nothing?' - Josh Hazlewood discusses art of picking best 'Cherry' for his team ahead of Ashes 2023

The coveted Ashes 2023 is just around the corner and both teams are preparing for the ultimate Test summer with an aim to create a legacy for the future. However, when the sun will rise at Edgbaston and the coin will go up in the air to decide who gets to take the call of fielding or batting first, another key factor which will keep both England and Australia on the edge.

Amidst the humdrum of fans cheering and teams singing their National Anthems, there is one more important ritual which is often followed by the fielding side. However, some bowlers may dread this unofficial duty they are given by their Captains, some are really good at executing the most important part of a Test match. Yes! the art of picking the right 'cherry' to have a go with as it can decide the fate of a team on the first day itself.

In the same vein, the Australian quick, Josh Hazlewood, shared his interesting views and the lesser-known things about the Dukes ball, which can help a team to dominate the game by bowling the opposition out cheaply. When asked about his experience of doing the drill of selecting the right ball for his team, Hazlewood revealed that he likes the English brand ball which looks quite dark and small. Moreover, he prefers the seam as highly engraved as possible.

"If you go well, nobody remembers and if the other team scores 500 everyone else is going 'well, who picked that ball that did nothing?" Hazlewood was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

"If it's dark and feels like it's a bit smaller and a bit harder, it seems to keep its hardness for a bit longer. And if it feels like the ball's been sitting for quite a while, it's as if all the leather's tightened up. Whereas those big, bright red ones that look more like an apple, I feel like that's quite a big ball and the leather's already expanded and feels quite soft. They don't feel as good in the hand," Hazlewood concluded.

Besides, the Australian pacer also discussed Kookaburra balls which are widely used in his home country. Hazlewood believes that most balls and batches of the Australian brand look similar just like a shining red Apple. Now, it will be interesting to see if Josh Hazlewood makes the cut for the playing XI for the first Ashes Test. If he is not picked then in that case. Mitchell Starc will be performing the art of picking the right ball for his country.

How the Dukes balls are manufactured in the final stage?

Now, speaking of the manufacturing process of the English Dukes balls, the leather is sourced from Ireland and Scotland from the Aberdeen Angus cattle that are raised in the neighbouring nations of England. Thereafter, the balls are sent for a further process called- Tanning. At this juncture, they are treated with Aluminium Sulphate and then they are red-colour sprayed and moulded into the perfect circular shape.

In the last stage of manufacturing, the process of 'lamping' and 'milling' are followed. The process involves the stitching of the interior rubber part of the ball along with the cork. Now, going by Josh Hazlewood's logic, after the ball goes through compression of the two middle rows of the stitch, it gives that feeling of a central seam which bowlers look for by running their fingers over the seam and pass their final verdict for the perfect ball for their teams.