By Lawrence Booth for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:30 BST, 12 April 2019 | Updated: 22:36 BST, 12 April 2019
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England's plans to regain the Ashes later this year using a batch of last summer's lively Dukes balls have been scuppered because the ECB's supply has all but run out.
The seam on this year's selection has been stitched more tightly - a directive from the board aimed at reducing the number of medium-pacers relying on help from the ball to get their wickets, especially on fresh, early-season pitches.
And with Australia's batsmen traditionally vulnerable to lateral movement, the new-style Dukes - which is expected to do less off the pitch and through the air than its predecessor - has caused consternation in the England dressing-room.
The Dukes balls used in the 2015 Ashes series caused many problems for Australian batsmen
Tighter stitching on this year's batch of Dukes balls means the seam is less proud than in previous summers.
That means less movement for bowlers after they land the ball on the seam, and less trouble for batsmen.
Sportsmail understands that the leftovers from last year's batch of
