Kookaburra ball would bring 'a different skillset' into County Championship, reckons Saqib Mahmood

Saqib Mahmood had made his international debut for England in the T20I series versus New Zealand and has been with the English squad for the ongoing South Africa tour. In the nets, he had practised bowling with the Kookaburra ball and felt that it would be a different challenge altogether had this ball been introduced in County Championship instead of the traditional Kookaburra ball.

"if it (playing with Kookaburra ball) did come across I'd look forward to it. It would bring in a different skill set to be successful with, rather than bowling a few dibbly-dobblies," Mahmood was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

"If we had that in the Championship for a couple of rounds, how would teams react? What kind of bowlers would they pick? Guys who haven't had a look-in might start to get a look-in - teams will have to find a way to take 20 wickets," he further added.

Mahmood had made a reputation back in England due to his ability to make the ball reverse and he felt that with the Kookaburra ball he would be able to exploit reverse swing to a greater extent. This would help in conditions that were not conducive for fast bowling and thus would help increase competitive cricket.

"I'd watch, then go into the nets, try things, and very quick I was picking up on reverse swing. That's something that I can use as one of my strengths away from England and with the Kookaburra. It's also practising new skills for unresponsive pitches," he asserted.