The owner of Dukes, the manufacturer of cricket balls, has warned that this summer's English cricket season could be the latest victim of the war in the Middle East, revealing concerns about a shortage of balls due to supply chain disruptions, according to the British newspaper, The Telegraph.
Dukes, which has a history dating back to 1760, supplies all the red balls used in Test and first-class matches in England, with the new season set to kick off on April 3. The company produces between 4,000 and 5,000 balls each summer. It also provides balls for a number of the 33 county leagues in England, which require fewer balls due to the shorter duration of their matches.
Details of the Situation
However, Dilip Jagodia, the octogenarian businessman who acquired Dukes nearly 40 years ago, stated that he has been forced to ration the number of balls supplied to each club due to supply chain issues stemming from the US-Israeli attack on Iran. Jagodia expressed particular concern about the availability of balls for club competitions but also warned that professional cricket could be affected if the situation in the Middle East deteriorates further.
Before a bowler grips a new Dukes ball and sends it toward the batsman, that ball has already undergone a long and complex journey. Jagodia relies on hides from Aberdeen Angus cattle raised in Scotland, which undergo tanning in Chesterfield before being sent to South Asia to be stitched into cricket balls, and then returned to the company's factory in Walthamstow for final manufacturing stages before distribution.
Background & Context
This production route inevitably passes through the Gulf region, which has seen rising costs and a reduction in the number of flights since the outbreak of war earlier this month. The manufacturing of Dukes balls has previously faced challenges beyond the company's control, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ramifications of Brexit.
Jagodia told the Daily Mail: "We are currently facing a significant crisis due to the Gulf war." He added, "We are forced to ration balls for clubs, providing them with only 50 percent of their needs at the start of the season, and then managing the crisis from there." He continued, "We have large quantities ready in our factories in the subcontinent, but airlines are not transporting shipments due to congestion." He noted that shipping costs have risen dramatically, stating, "Airlines usually charged about $5 (£3.76) per kilogram to ship a box containing 120 cricket balls. The last quote I received was $15 per kilogram."
Impact & Consequences
He explained that the majority of shipments pass through the Middle East, adding, "But when there are missiles flying overhead, you face a significant problem." He added, "I recently heard that someone shipped goods from Pakistan to Sri Lanka via an alternative route. People always find solutions. It may be very costly, but a way must be found. Ultimately, shipping companies may have to charter private planes." He concluded by saying, "If transportation completely stops, we will face a real problem. It's that simple."
Regional Significance
In response, the England and Wales Cricket Board has sought to allay fears about the season's impact, stating through a spokesperson: "The professional clubs in the counties have received the usual number of Dukes balls ahead of the season." Despite some complaints from players in recent years regarding the quality of Dukes balls, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, they are still considered the best on the market, especially under English conditions.
During this winter, a brief trial of using Kookaburra balls in some county championship rounds was abandoned, restoring Dukes' monopoly on red balls in the competition.