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Iran War Causes Cricket-Ball Shortage

The ECB has only half the needed Dukes cricket balls due to Middle East freight disruptions, forcing rationing and tripled shipping costs, officials said.

  • On April 3, 2026 the season opener is threatened as a severe shortage of Dukes balls creates an unprecedented logistical challenge for the England and Wales Cricket Board .
  • Supply-Chain disruption from shipping route paralysis has left Dukes balls stockless, as Jajodia cited 'a logjam' blaming the Gulf War nonsense for freight delays.
  • Cost pressures are visible in quotes showing airlines tripled freight charges from $5 to $15 per kilo, with Jajodia warning, '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'.
  • With supplies constrained, the England and Wales Cricket Board has rationed the 18 first-class counties to 50% of their usual balls while an ECB spokesperson said professional county clubs received normal allocations.
  • The multi-step manufacturing chain means cricket faces supply shocks, as past Kookaburra use ended and providers warn couriers may need costly charter services.
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15 Articles

The IndependentThe Independent
Reposted by
The Independent (US)The Independent (US)
Lean Left

English cricket warned over shortage of balls due to conflict in Middle East

Dukes have run into issues with the import of balls with the cricketing summer around the corner

·London, United Kingdom
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The Independent broke the news in London, United Kingdom on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
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