Bangladesh's NCL to see use of Dukes ball

Dukes balls (PC: Twitter)

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) brings a major change for the upcoming season of the National Cricket League (NCL) as the Dukes ball will now be used in the tournament.

In a preparatory step to make players accustomed to the he Dukes ball when they go overseas, the BCB is set to displace the SG in the NCL 2022 that will run from October 10 to November 17.

The Bangladeshi team played with the Dukes for the first time when they toured the West Indies in June this year. Shakib Al Hasan and Co. were drubbed by the Windies as the former suffered a series defeat, losing both the ties.

"We decided to introduce Dukes in the NCL so that our players get familiar with it," BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin said as quoted to Cricbuzz.

"The difference between a Dukes and SG ball is huge in terms of seam and shape and so this ball will be introduced to prepare our players properly as we have some assignments with it in the coming day," he cited.

New fitness reforms

The passing criteria for the Yo-Yo Test has been increased to 18.1 to 17.4 for the players who wish to participate in the NCL this year. A pre-season fitness camp and a skill camp is set to be organised during which the BCB will examine the fitness condition of its top cricketers.

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