seam

Gone are the more traditional English-style swing and seam bowlers, in their place a battery of hulking quicks capable of clocking 90mph.

But in the 2023 Ashes series, with less bounce and seam movement on offer in England, that repeatability became a weakness.

The Kookaburra feels bigger, with a smaller seam.

In recent years spin has played a diminished role in Tests in Australia, and Optus Stadium, the venue for the first Test against Australia starting on 21 November, is particularly suited to seam.

Steve Smith believes England may have picked the wrong bowlers for the Ashes, suggesting Australian wickets will be better suited to seam and swing than an all-out pace attack.