Sticky bails lack a bit of Zing

THE manufacturer of Zing bails admits he is “stumped” by the spate of non-dismissals at this year’s World Cup, but insists his product cannot solely be blamed.

Five separate batsmen have survived the ball clattering into their stumps at the England tournament, prompting captains to ask questions over the situation.

David Warner became the latest not to have his bails removed against India on Sunday, despite the ball firmly hitting the bottom half of the stumps after rebounding off his bat and foot.

A total of 35 players have been bowled in this year’s World Cup, meaning one in eight times the bails have not been properly dislodged.

The weight of the Zing product has largely been blamed by critics, despite the ICC claiming they are no heavier than the wooden ones used in strong winds. And the director of the Adelaide-based Zing David Ligertwood said several other factors were likely at play.

“This issue isn’t all about the weight of the bails, as a complicated interdependent range of factors come into play,” he said. “The bails, stumps, stump grooves depth and shape, pitch conditions, stump cam etc all affect it.

“Testing shows the bail’s weight isn’t necessarily the most significant factor.”

Zing have been used in the Big Bash and Indian Premier League for several years, with small modifications made only a few years ago to make the removal of them easier.