Kookaburra Unveil 'Turf20' - A Ball Exclusively for T20 Cricket

Ball manufacturing giants, Kookaburra, on Sunday, unveiled a ball exclusively designed for T20 cricket. The company is eyeing to introduce their latest invention across T20 leagues and international cricket in the next two years.

‘Turf20’ would be something new

The latest ball made especially for the shortest format of the game is named ‘Turf20’. The new ball will remain harder for more extended periods which will make shot-making easy for the batsmen. It, however, will not rob bowlers of any advantage, as the prouder seam could assist them.

The aim of designing the ball was to ensure it does not get deformed with the passage of time. The new ball will also provide even bounce. At the time being, the same Kookaburra ball is used in both the limited-overs format.

The manufacturers have already tested the new ball by using an air cannon and wind tunnel. Early this month, they also conducted a trial of the new ball in a “blind test” in the Northern Territory Strike tournament. The manufacturers are likely to launch the ball in 2020, the year in which the next World T20 will take place.

The new Turf20 ball is being trialled in the NT Strike League @NTCricket , a world-first for the T20 specific ball. Players like @ARoss49 have enjoyed it so far, we’ll do more trials over the next 18 months. pic.twitter.com/S6PHrdbFp1

— Kookaburra Cricket (@KookaburraCkt) July 8, 2018

“As Twenty20 cricket evolved, Kookaburra thought there should be a way to create a ball specific to its needs rather than follow the traditional method of ball-making that is used in Test cricket,” Kookaburra spokesman Shannon Gill said.

“A Test ball is designed to gradually deteriorate over 80 overs; this is an integral element to Test cricket. Twenty20 cricket has evolved quite differently; the ball is only needed for 20 overs, and the action is more intense and explosive than Test cricket. This means gradual deterioration is not as big a factor, instead of a ball that meets the demands of the power hitting game has been created,” he added.

The iconic White Kookaburra will be the official ball of the @GT20Canada – look for the white Kooka when it all starts this week! #TeamKookaburra #GT20 @canadiancricket pic.twitter.com/eTVE1ohaqu

— Kookaburra Cricket (@KookaburraCkt) June 26, 2018

The ball would get introduced in 2020

Gill further said the feedback received from the players, who played with the ‘Turf20’ ball in the NT Strike competition, was encouraging.

“In follow-up feedback, the players responded they did not notice any difference to the way the ball played as far as bounce and speed. But there were comments on the improved hardness of the ball through the 20 overs,” he noted.

Alex Ross, the South Australia and Brisbane Heat batsman, who is playing for Desert Storm in the NT Strike league, praised the ball, saying,

“As long as it doesn’t bounce differently or change the nature of the game, that way it can only be a positive. I noticed later in my innings last week the ball was definitely harder and carried further – which is what you want in T20 cricket.”