Ashes series to be played with old Dukes ball

The same ball from the last two international summers will be in England's hands for the visit of Australia later this year.

England will have use of the same Dukes ball which caused havoc during the last two international summers when they face Australia in the Ashes.

The ECB have confirmed the ball from 2017 and 2018 will return, despite a new design having been used in this season's County Championship.

James Anderson averages 16.06 with the more pronounced seam which is likely to benefit the hosts, as they bid to win back the urn later this year.

When James Anderson has bowled with this batch of Dukes balls, he's taken a Test wicket every 39 deliveries, at an astonishing average of 16.06. #Ashes2019 https://t.co/0ykuKHjRft

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) May 8, 2019

A tighter-seamed ball has been used domestically this season, with scores having improved on flatter championship wickets.

Central to the decision was an acceptance that the old ball, which will also be used in the one-off four-day Test against Ireland, had "produced highly entertaining cricket that has helped promote the Test format".

Manufacturers Dukes have been asked to produce 600 balls to last year's specification at a total cost of £42,000 after the ECB ran out of supplies.

Australia had experience of the ball during the second half of the 2018-19 Sheffield Shield.