In the world of cricket, the use of the Dukes ball has been a topic of much debate. The ball, which is used in English conditions, is known for its ability to swing and seam, making it a difficult proposition for batsmen. In a recent match between New Zealand A and Australia A, leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson showed that it's not just fast bowlers who can make the most of the Dukes ball. Swepson took five wickets in the match, including three in the second innings, to help Australia A earn a draw.
The match was played at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, New Zealand, and saw both teams fielding strong sides. Australia A won the toss and elected to bat first, with opener Joe Burns scoring a century and Usman Khawaja scoring 56 to help the team post a total of 308. In response, New Zealand A posted 398, with Rachin Ravindra scoring a century and Tim Seifert scoring 79.
In the second innings, Australia A scored 230/9, with Swepson taking three wickets, including the crucial wicket of Ravindra. With New Zealand A needing 141 runs to win, the match ended in a draw as they were 29/1 at the close of play on the final day.
Swepson's performance with the ball was impressive, as he showed great control and variation. He was able to extract turn and bounce from the pitch, making it difficult for the New Zealand A batsmen to score freely. Swepson's ability to bowl with the Dukes ball bodes well for Australia, as they will be playing the Ashes series in England later this year.
Overall, the match between New Zealand A and Australia A was an entertaining one, with both teams playing some excellent cricket. While the match ended in a draw, it provided an opportunity for both teams to test their skills and gain valuable experience ahead of future tours and series.
In conclusion, Mitchell Swepson's performance with the Dukes ball in the New Zealand A-Australia A match was noteworthy, and it will be interesting to see how he performs with the ball in the upcoming Ashes series. The use of the Dukes ball has been a topic of much debate in the cricketing world, and Swepson's performance shows that it's not just fast bowlers who can make the most of it.
