How has the Iran-Israel war disrupted the cricket matches in England? This 265-year old ball manufacturer rings alarm bells

English county clubs are preparing for the domestic red-ball season starting April 3 with significantly reduced stocks of Dukes match balls after the manufacturer cited major supply chain problems linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Dilip Jajodia, owner of the historic firm for nearly 40 years, told the Daily Mail, as quoted by TOI, that deliveries have been capped at 50 per cent of normal orders to manage the shortfall.

How severe is the Dukes ball shortage for counties?

Dilip Jajodia told the Daily Mail, as quoted by TOI, “We've got a major crisis right now with this bloody Gulf war nonsense.” He explained that the company has had to ration clubs by providing only 50 per cent of their balls at the start of the season. Counties will therefore begin the campaign with half the number of balls they usually require.

What is causing the disruption in Dukes ball supply?

Dukes balls use leather from British cows processed in Chesterfield, which is then sent to South Asia for hand-stitching before returning to the UK. Jajodia was quoted by the Daily Mail, via TOI, saying, “We've got plenty of stuff in the factories in the subcontinent ready to go, but the airlines are not taking the freight, because there's a logjam.” He added, “The rates have gone up, too. A box of 120 cricket balls would be charged normally by airlines at about $5 a kilo. The last quote I got was $15 a kilo. Most of the stuff goes through the Middle East, but if you've suddenly got rockets flying around, you've got a major problem.”

What is the ECB's position on the ball supply issue?

The England and Wales Cricket Board told TOI there was no immediate concern. The board stated that Professional County Clubs have received the number of Dukes balls they normally would ahead of the season. The ECB added that it procures balls in bulk based on requests from counties, and current supplies match those requirements. It also confirmed no issues with ball availability for Test matches scheduled later in the summer.

Why does the shortage matter more this year?

The ECB has decided to discontinue the Kookaburra ball in parts of the County Championship from the 2026 season, making Dukes the sole red ball for the domestic competition. Dukes is currently looking at alternative shipping routes from the subcontinent to bypass the Middle East air traffic disruptions.