In the chessboard of Test cricket, few decisions are as layered and strategic as whether to take the new ball. The standard convention is to accept it the moment it’s available, typically after 80 overs, unleashing fresh seam movement and bounce for fast bowlers. But in some gripping contests, captains have declined to take the New Ball, trusting old ball spinners or reversing pacers instead. What appeared unconventional at first turned into cricketing gold, helping them break stubborn partnerships, trigger collapses, and sometimes even win matches outright.
These bold calls highlight cricket’s cerebral depth, where instincts, reading the pitch, and opponent psychology outweigh default tactics. In this article, we revisit the top 10 iconic moments when captains declined to take the New Ball, and it paid off handsomely.
10. Michael Vaughan Lets Ashley Giles Finish – England vs South Africa, The Oval 2003
With South Africa 8 down and batting deep, Vaughan declined to take the New Ball, allowing Ashley Giles to bowl from the rough. Giles bagged the last two wickets using the old ball with a sharp turn, ensuring England’s fightback was complete. This moment showcased a rare captaincy instinct for a spinner-led kill.
Statistics Table:
| Match | Venue | Decision | Result | Captain | Key Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England vs South Africa | The Oval, 2003 | Declined to Take the New Ball | England won | Michael Vaughan | Ashley Giles | 4 wickets in 2nd innings |
9. Joe Root Uses Dom Bess – England vs Sri Lanka, Galle 2021
On a slow, turning pitch, Root declined to take the New Ball and allowed Dom Bess to keep bowling. The spinners enjoyed better control with the older ball and dismantled Sri Lanka’s middle order. England won comfortably, and the decision drew applause for tactical foresight.
Statistics Table:
| Match | Venue | Decision | Result | Captain | Key Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England vs Sri Lanka | Galle, 2021 | Declined to Take the New Ball | England won | Joe Root | Dom Bess | 5/30 |
8. Rahul Dravid’s Unorthodox Call – India vs West Indies, Gros Islet 2006
On a sluggish Day 5 pitch, Dravid declined to take the New Ball. Harbhajan and Kumble bowled unchanged with the old ball. The West Indies couldn’t score freely, and India came within 1 wicket of victory. While not a win, the move earned Dravid praise for game awareness and pressure building.
Statistics Table:
| Match | Venue | Decision | Result | Captain | Key Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India vs West Indies | Gros Islet, 2006 | Declined to Take the New Ball | Match Drawn | Rahul Dravid | Anil Kumble | 6 wickets |
7. Brendon McCullum Leverages Reverse – NZ vs Pakistan, Sharjah 2014
McCullum declined to take the New Ball in UAE conditions, where reverse swing was king. Tim Southee and Trent Boult made the ball talk with subtle movement. The decision helped New Zealand secure a crucial win in spin-friendly Sharjah.
Statistics Table:
| Match | Venue | Decision | Result | Captain | Key Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ vs Pakistan | Sharjah, 2014 | Declined to Take the New Ball | New Zealand won | Brendon McCullum | Tim Southee | 4 wickets with old ball |
6. Ricky Ponting Banks on Warne – Australia vs Pakistan, Sydney 2005
As the pitch wore out, Ponting declined to take the New Ball and instead continued with Warne. Pakistan’s batters, who had looked comfortable against pace, succumbed to Warne’s wizardry with the old ball. The strategy tilted the game, showcasing Ponting’s faith in his legendary leg-spinner.
Statistics Table:
| Match | Venue | Decision | Result | Captain | Key Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia vs Pakistan | Sydney, 2005 | Declined to Take the New Ball | Australia won | Ricky Ponting | Shane Warne | 8/97 (across innings) |
5. Alastair Cook Waits for Reverse – England vs India, Lord’s 2014
With the ball reversing beautifully, Cook declined to take the New Ball late on Day 4. Anderson and Broad bowled reverse-swinging spells that kept India in check. The new ball might have eased the pressure, but the old one was dancing. England made early inroads on Day 5, eventually winning one of their most famous Tests at Lord’s.
Statistics Table:
| Match | Venue | Decision | Result | Captain | Key Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England vs India | Lord’s, 2014 | Declined to Take the New Ball | England won | Alastair Cook | James Anderson | 7 wickets in match |
4. Virat Kohli Backs Jadeja – India vs England, Chennai 2021
On a crumbling Chennai pitch, Kohli declined to take the New Ball when England were 6 down. Instead, he continued with Jadeja, who turned the game with sharp spin. The old ball was ragging, and Kohli knew a hard ball might not grip the surface as much. Jadeja’s scalps hastened England’s collapse, and India went on to dominate the match.
Statistics Table:
| Match | Venue | Decision | Result | Captain | Key Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India vs England | Chennai, 2021 | Declined to Take the New Ball | India won | Virat Kohli | Ravindra Jadeja | 5 wickets (2 with old ball) |
3. Steve Waugh Holds Off – Australia vs West Indies, Adelaide 2000
With West Indies on the ropes, Steve Waugh declined to take the New Ball even after 100 overs. He relied on Shane Warne and MacGill to exploit the footmarks on a deteriorating pitch. The ploy worked, and Warne cleaned up the tail with a venomous turn. Waugh’s move was a masterclass in exploiting conditions over convention.
Statistics Table:
| Match | Venue | Decision | Result | Captain | Key Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia vs West Indies | Adelaide, 2000 | Declined to Take the New Ball | Australia won by an innings | Steve Waugh | Shane Warne | 6/80 |
2. Graeme Smith Trusts Kallis – South Africa vs England, Edgbaston 2008
England were fighting hard to set a target. The new ball was available, but Graeme Smith declined to take the New Ball, continuing with Kallis and Morkel using the old one. Kallis produced a late reverse-swinging spell that dismantled England’s lower order. It was a vital win that gave South Africa a series lead and eventually, a historic series win in England.
Statistics Table:
| Match | Venue | Decision | Result | Captain | Key Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa vs England | Edgbaston, 2008 | Declined to Take the New Ball | South Africa won | Graeme Smith | Jacques Kallis | 3 wickets with old ball |
1. MS Dhoni Keeps the Old Ball for Ashwin – India vs Australia, Chennai 2013
India were in command in the first Test of the 2013 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With Australia struggling at 9 down in their second innings, MS Dhoni had the new ball option ready. But instead, he declined to take the New Ball, allowing R. Ashwin to continue with the worn-out cherry. Ashwin responded immediately, wrapping up the innings and finishing with 7 wickets. Dhoni’s decision exemplified trust in his spinners and reading of conditions.
Statistics Table:
| Match | Venue | Decision | Result | Captain | Key Bowler | Wickets Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India vs Australia | Chennai, 2013 | Declined to Take the New Ball | India won by 8 wickets | MS Dhoni | R. Ashwin | 7/103 |
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