Agency :
Bangladesh hasn’t had much experience with the Duke ball as they are more familiar with the Kookaburra ball, which does not swing or seam as much as the Duke ball.
Playing Tests in the West Indies will be a challenge for the Tigers because the Duke balls are used there in Tests.
So Allan Donald, Bangladesh’s fast bowling coach, was busy teaching Mustafizur Rahman how to bowl with the Duke ball.
“Well, it’s a [transformation] from the Kookaburra to the Duke ball, the one I’m very very accustomed to playing for Warwickshire and Test cricket in England. It’s a ball with a proud seam and it will take a lot of time to get used to it,” Donald explained in a BCB video.
When it comes to Tests, Mustafizur hasn’t been a regular. He has yet to bowl in the three-day warm-up match between Bangladesh and the CWI President’s XI.
Donald is preparing Mustafiz with the Duke ball as this Fizz’s first time with this type of ball and also first time bowling since IPL.
“[I’ve] just had a session with the Fizz. He is bowling here for the first time since the IPL. It’s also his first time with the Duke ball. [I’ve] just told him a little bit about the ball, changed his grip subtly and I think it’s coming out really well. The practice match against CWI President’s XI will be a good little workout with this ball,” added Donald.
