Glenelg Training Trial
GLENELG TESTIMONIAL BY PETER GLADIGAU
My name is Peter Gladigau; I am currently the bowling coach at the Glenelg District Cricket Club, who is a member club in the South Australian Cricket Association Premier competition.
My playing experience includes 39 Sheffield Shield games for South Australia from 1985-1992, and 23 first class one day games during the same period, I played between 1983/84-1998/99 for the Glenelg District Cricket Club including three years as First XI captain.
LOCATION & CONDITIONS
The trial was conducted at the Glenelg District Cricket Club nets. Both balls were trialled for exactly 80 overs each. The pitch conditions in November 2020 consisted of well grassed nets which are common at the start of each cricket season, as the trial continued and the pitches were used more the conditions became a little more abrasive especially throughout the months January and February. However there was a good coverage of grass on the wickets on all occasions.
The bowlers I selected to trial the balls were from our first grade squad and ranged from fast medium bowlers through to spin bowlers. I attempted to simulate the use of the balls as close to what they would be used during a match situation.
As such the first 30 overs of each ball being trialled were bowled by the fast medium bowlers and after that time spin bowlers and medium pacers were used in conjunction with the fast medium bowlers.
TRIAL RESULTS
Both balls which were presented for the trial were made with Australian leather. The ball was a dark deep red colour, which were almost identical in colour to the Kookaburra balls we use during grade games.
It must be noted that last season the club trialled the Kangarucci Turf International cricket ball that was made from English leather. The Australian leather is darker and had a much better feel than the lighter coloured English leather. In Appendix A of photographs at the rear of this report I have photographed the Australian and English leather balls for comparison.
The bowler’s trialling the Australian leather ball had also previously used the English leather ball and commented how much better the Australian leather ball felt in their hand.
The Kangarucci Turf International Australian leather cricket ball performed very well. The seam stitching was excellent and showed little signs of wearing over the 80 over trial.
Due to COVID, it must be noted that no saliva was used to enhance the shine on either ball; the bowlers were only allowed to rub the ball on their pants/shirt to keep shine on the ball.
With this said both balls continued to swing for the fast medium bowlers up to the 30-40 over mark and offered seam and bounce consistent with a good quality cricket ball. When used by spin bowlers both balls produced spin and bounce.
As previously mentioned the bowlers stated that the ball had a good feel in the hand. They also commented that the swing and movement off the seam was consistent with that of the Kookaburra Regulation ball which is the ball used in all 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade SACA matches.
The bowlers that offered feedback have also played 1st XI cricket, which use the Kookaburra Turf balls as their match ball, the bowlers had the experience to be able to differentiate between the balls. I respect their comments.
The majority of our first grade batsmen have only faced Kookaburra cricket balls, when facing the
Kangarucci ball they commented that the ball performed like the regular ball they are used to facing and that the ball didn’t mark or dent their bats. Which I believe is an important point as the club has trialled other balls prior to this and found that they damaged bats and we discontinued using them. They further stated that the ball did not seam any more or less than a Kookaburra ball, which supported the bowler’s comments.
BALL 1 RESULTS
This ball held its shape and maintained its shine well during the 80 overs it was used. As previously mentioned there was no saliva used to enhance the shine.
The seam of the ball stood up very well and as the photographs show, there was very little damage if any to the seam during the 80 overs
The only blemish on the ball was a small separation in the quarter seam around the 50 over mark; however over the next 30 overs the ball was used for the separation did not get notably larger.
BALL 2 RESULTS
As with ball 1 it held its shape and maintained its shine during the 80 overs it was in use. From overs
60 - 80 the ball was used by spinners and as such is more worn than ball 1.
The seam of the ball again was undamaged and there was only a very small separation in one of the quarter seams.
I am of the opinion that the Kangarucci Turf International 4 piece Australian leather cricket ball is a very good quality cricket ball. The Kangarucci Turf International cricket ball will provide a good practice ball option for cricket clubs and also a good quality match ball where a ball other than a Kookaburra is permitted.
At the rear of this report are photographs I have taken of both balls throughout the trial period which are referenced with over details.
Ball 1 is marked as Appendix A Ball 2 is marked as Appendix B
If you have any questions in regard to this please feel free to contact me.
Kind regards
Peter GLADIGAU
APPENDIX A:
KANGARUCCI TURF INTERNATIONAL BALL 1
BALLS 1 AND 2 - AFTER - 3 OVERS
BALLS 1 AND 2 - AFTER - 11 OVERS
BALL 1 - AFTER 22 OVERS
The Australian leather ball is the bottom ball and it is compared with the English leather ball at the top with about the same usage. Note the difference in colour.
BALL 1 - AFTER 30 OVERS
BALL 1 - AFTER 36 OVERS
NOTE SEAM IN PHOTOGRAPH 3 IS UNDAMAGED
BALL 1 - AFTER 48 OVERS
BALL 1 - AFTER 60 OVERS
BALL 1 - AFTER 70 OVERS
BALL 1 - AFTER 80 OVERS
APPENDIX B:
KANGARUCCI TURF INTERNATIONAL BALL 2
BALL 1 AND 2 - AFTER 3 OVERS
BALL 1 AND 2 - AFTER 11 OVERS
BALL 2 - AFTER 29 OVERS
BALL 2 - AFTER 40 OVERS
BALL 2 - AFTER 50 OVERS
NOTE SEAM IN PHOTO 3:
NO DAMAGE
BALL 2 - AFTER 60 OVERS
BALL 2 - AFTER 72 OVERS
BALL 2 - AFTER 80 OVERS
