by Mark Butcher
During the pre-season warm-ups, we’ve witnessed an impressive number of runs, and I anticipate that this pattern will carry on into the opening weeks of the County Championship. Many assume that kicking off the season in early April would create prime conditions for bowlers, with the ball darting around unpredictably. However, that’s rarely the reality.
Recently, we’ve had a stretch of dry weather, and these crisp, cold spells usually set the stage for batters to shine. Because it’s too chilly, the ball doesn’t swing as it might otherwise, and the pitches often play slow and low. In this setting, batters have a real opportunity to make the most of the conditions.
Last year, the Kookaburra ball…
