ECB Discontinues Branded Kookaburra Balls for The Hundred

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has decided to discontinue the use of branded white Kookaburra balls in The Hundred tournament, according to recent reports. This decision follows consistent unfavorable feedback from players regarding the balls.

The balls, identifiable by a prominent ‘H’ logo and utilized in the league’s initial four seasons, were allegedly responsible for a decline in scoring rates. Last season, the men’s competition saw a notable dip to 1.37 runs per ball.

Players expressed concerns that the additional coating necessary for branding imparted a ‘plasticky’ texture to the balls.

Moeen Ali commented that the seam appeared to be excessively pronounced, leading to frequent early wickets in matches.

Kookaburra has defended its product, asserting that the branded balls adhered to the same specifications as those used in various other domestic and international cricket events. They refuted claims that the imprinted ‘H’ logo had any adverse effect.

The ECB conducted a thorough analysis during the off-season and concluded that there was no significant difference in the ball’s performance compared to those used elsewhere in England and Wales.

Data analysis indicated a rise in seam movement and swing at the start of The Hundred 2023, relative to the prior season. However, this was primarily attributed to pitch conditions and weather patterns.

Despite the absence of conclusive evidence against the ball branding, the ECB has opted to revert to the balls used in the T20 Blast 2025. The board hopes that this adjustment will address player concerns and that the perception of reduced assistance for bowlers will lead to increased scoring.