By Lawrence Booth for the Daily Mail
Published: 18:46 BST, 9 May 2019 | Updated: 19:21 BST, 9 May 2019
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Stuart Broad has revealed the crucial role he played in England's decision to commission a new batch of bowler-friendly 2018 Dukes balls for this summer's Tests against Ireland and Australia.
The move was announced on Wednesday by Ashley Giles, the managing director of England men's cricket, and Broad said: 'I spoke to Gilo after the first two county championship rounds.
'I didn't think the 2019 ball was international quality. It went out of shape early, and the period between 35 and 80 overs was dull.
Stuart Broad helped launch NatWest's #NoBoundaries campaign to improve access to cricket
'The last two seasons of Test cricket have been brilliant to watch and play in - we didn't need to mess around with seeing what this ball might do. Stick to what we know. It was brilliant leadership and decision making.'
The 2018 model has a more prominent seam, leading to suggestions that England simply wanted to improve their chances against an Australian batting line-up that has often struggled against lateral movement.
However Broad insisted: 'It's not pro-English - Australia have brilliant bowlers. It's a decision that makes cricket more exciting. The
