English Cricket Ball Shortage from Middle East Conflict

English counties are facing a shortage of cricket balls as the domestic season approaches, with suppliers delivering only half the required stock due to disruptions from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The County Championship is scheduled to begin on April 3, 2026, and the first Test match of the summer will follow in early June, raising concerns about potential impacts on professional play.

Dukes, the manufacturer of the balls used exclusively in Test cricket across England, Ireland, and the West Indies, as well as in English first-class matches, has been hit by severe logistical challenges. The balls, produced by British Cricket Balls Ltd, begin with leather from British cows that is tanned in Chesterfield, England. The material is then shipped to factories in South Asia for hand-stitching before being transported back to the United Kingdom for final preparation and distribution. This process typically involves air freight routing through the Middle East, but the conflict has created backlogs and restricted cargo capacity.

Dilip Jajodia, owner of British Cricket Balls Ltd, described the situation as a major crisis. "We've got plenty of stuff in the factories in the...