Former England fast bowler-turned commentator Isa Guha has blasted ball manufacturer Dukes after the balls that were supposed to be used on day one of the Women's Ashes were not delivered to the ground in time.
As fast bowler Kate Cross showed a lump on the ball to umpire Anna Harris early on day two at Trent Bridge, commentator Simon Doull revealed the two balls used by England on day one differed slightly.
"The ones they got to pick from yesterday morning were OK, but the second batch from where they got the second new ball had a different logo on them," he said in commentary.
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"We've been assured by Dukes they are exactly the same ball, but they had lost the stamp."
However, Doull later suggested the second ball was correct, and Dukes failed to have the correct balls delivered to Trent Bridge for the start of play.
Guha, who played 113 matches for England and has carved a successful commentary career in retirement, said the error was an "absolute shocker".
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"For an Ashes Test match to not have the right balls for the start of the game, that is an absolute shocker," she said.
Women's cricket use a slightly smaller ball to the men. While the men use a 156g ball, the women use a 142g ball. It also has a slightly smaller circumference.
Dukes are the ball supplier for Tests and county cricket in England. Tests south of the equator traditionally use the Australian-made Kookaburra ball.
Meanwhile, the Aussie batters continued to frustrate the England attack on the second morning of the only Test match as part of the Women's Ashes.
Resuming at 7-328, Annabel Sutherland and Alana King survived the first half-hour, during which Sutherland brought up her half-century.
King then got a reprieve, when she was given not-out on an umpires call after England reviewed a close lbw shout. Spin vision showed the ball was barely clipping leg stump.
But it mattered little – she was on her way back to the pavilion for 21 after a beauty from Lauren Bell took out King's middle and leg stump.
Sutherland continued her sensational form, notching up her maiden Test ton before lunch.
"What a way to bring up a maiden Test century … a moment she'll remember for the rest of her life," former England opener Nick Knight said in commentary.
Unbeaten at lunch, Sutherland has the highest score in women's Test history by a No.8 or lower, and also the fastest ton by an Australian woman.
Sutherland remained unbeaten at lunch. She has the highest Test score in women's history by a number 8 or lower, and also the fastest hundred by an Australian in Test history.
Sutherland, along with King and Kim Garth belted 111 for the morning session for the loss of just the one wicket.
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