County cricket: Why Kookaburra ball is proving hard work for bowlers

The use of the Kookaburra has had its supporters, though.

England Test captain Ben Stokes may not have liked hearing that his county Durham conceded over 800 runs against Surrey, but he recognises the wider benefits.

That includes the contribution of England’s new bowling consultant Tim Southee, a veteran of 107 Tests for New Zealand, predominantly using the Kookaburra ball.

“Tim has built a career on being able to find ways of getting batters out even when it’s not in your favour,” said Stokes.

“He’s passed over knowledge to our bowlers which has actually been invaluable for them, and made them understand that it’s not always going to be in your favour.

“So what are we going to do as a unit to try to create some pressure to get wickets when it’s flat?”

And while using the ball is a challenge for bowlers, Warwickshire seamer Ethan Bamber admitted that trying to improve is part of the cricketer’s job.

“It is different,” he told BBC Radio WM. “You don’t get as much consistent help from the ball.

“It creates good games – last week we almost had a cracking game [against Somerset], and it makes you develop different skills, and tough, long days of cricket. Sometimes that’s really good.

“One of the reasons we all play is to try to get better and find out how good we can be. This is a way of doing it.”