Shane Warne: “If we could use that Duke ball all over the world it would be fantastic”
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Legendary Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne has admitted that he is concerned for the future of Test cricket, and feels that the balls used in the format need to be changed.
A majority of the countries use Kookaburra balls, which are manufactured in Australia, while India use SG balls.
However, given how entertaining the recent five-Test series between England and India was, Warne believes that Duke balls should be the standard when it comes to the longest format.
“I am worried about the future of Test cricket,” Warne told Sky Sports. “It’s the best form of the game in my opinion. Have a look at this summer what happened between India and England – it was a fantastic series to watch.
“I think the ball dominated the match, created great Test cricket and fun Test cricket. It was also captivating Test cricket.
“If we could use that Duke ball all over the world it would be fantastic because it always seems to do something when the wickets are flat, so hopefully the governing body will have a look at that.”
Meanwhile, Warne also feels that the sanctions handed down to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft in the aftermath of the ball tampering controversy earlier this year was extremely harsh.
It is understood that Warner played a leading role in the scandal, which occurred on the third day of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, as he told Bancroft to alter the condition of the ball with sandpaper.
As a result, Warner and Steve Smith were banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months. Smith won’t be allowed to captain Australia for two years, while Warner won’t be considered for leadership roles in the future.
“I was very disappointed and I think like everybody else I was embarrassed by the Australian cricket team,” Warne said. “How does it get to the point that we are taking sandpaper on to the ground and we are going to sandpaper the ball.
“But having said that I think the penalties were too harsh. I think 12 months and around 10m dollars or around that mark is a very big price to pay.”