NOT HAPPY: Brendon McCullum and umpire Steve Davis discuss the Kookaburra ball's shape on day two of the second test at the Basin Reserve
New Zealand Cricket is seeking a please explain from Kookaburra as to why some of its $100-plus cricket balls are struggling to go the distance.
It could mean NZC explores other ball suppliers such as the English Dukes when its commercial deal with Kookaburra expires in two years' time.
The problem reached farcical levels on day two of the second test at the Basin Reserve when the second new ball was deemed out of shape by the umpires after just seven deliveries from New Zealand's pacemen. It was the fourth time the ball had to be changed in the first two days, with the first one in the Black Caps' first innings lasting just 23 overs.
NZC's head of cricket Lindsay Crocker was awaiting a response from the Australian ball manufacturer. NZC had been in touch with Cricket Australia, who Crocker said was having "similar problems", and Cricket South Africa who also used Kookaburras.
"They're going [out of shape] so early too which is disappointing. I've never seen one go as early as that one so we're pretty disappointed with what's happening," Crocker said.
"There appears to be a problem, and it seems to be happening more than normal. It is a current trend, for whatever reason they seem to be going with more frequency and they seem to be going a lot earlier in recent times.
"They're obviously not performing as well as we would like and as well as the manufacturers would like. We're going to collect those balls that have been a problem and get some thoughts back from them," Crocker said.
"We spend an awful lot. Not just first-class cricket but the international tournaments and we use a shed-load of training balls. We'd use 10 dozen or so on a tour, for example, so that adds up. In a match you'd only use eight or 10 but you'd use 10 times that at training."
On match day, both sets of fast bowlers got to choose their preferred new ball from a wide selection, but there was no way of telling whether it would go out of shape.
Kookaburra is used in most test-playing countries, with England (Dukes) and India (SG) the notable exceptions.
Crocker said the International Cricket Council sanctioned several different brands and it was up to individual boards who their supplier was. Kookaburra white balls will be used at the World Cup.
NZC had a long-standing deal with Kookaburra as it was historically seen as best for the conditions in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
Cricket Auckland is trialling the cheaper Dukes balls in club cricket this season, after the company looked to push into the southern hemisphere market last summer.
"When that contract comes around it will be an opportunity for us to look at other alternatives," Crocker said.
The players had differing views on which ball they preferred. Some of the New Zealand pacemen enjoyed bowling with the Dukes ball in England, which was harder.
Others were reluctant to comment, as they had gear sponsorship deals with Kookaburra.
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