Yes, Geoff! I don't think we would get many enthusiastic starters to-day. Most people bowling to-day have never had to contemplate bowling without the assistance of a modern ball. Things not going right - change balls. It is a perfectly natural ( and essential ) part of the game. Don't do that - you're last. That's a generality to make the point. Bowling was concieved, and for 50, 60, or 70 years was conducted with balls with no special 'cover stocks' or fancy weight blocks, and indeed the ABC rules kept the balls within quite tight balance. Side / Top / Bottom weight was closely limited, for the very purpose of eliminating, as much as possible, any advantage that an out of balance ball would give. The bowler had to do anything that was done.
Those birds have flown, however, and there's no going back.
The ABC limited static weight imbalance, and still does.- they forgot about dynamic, or rotating, moving, balance, so the fancy weight blocks were able to keep within the static limits, while being wildly out of balance when bowled.
When the ABC did'nt stop the first ( or first few) of these new balls, it was forever impossible to go back.
This IS NOT to say that many bowlers to-day could not adapt, and maintain their level, compared to other bowlers. I can think of a number who could. A long, long time ago I bowled a 6 game block, with a hard rubber ball, as near as dammit to complete balance, at a 254 average. I've bowled higher, but never better.
Pro's in the 50s and 60s, bowled very high averages. Accuracy and repeatability.
Some of our present ranked bowlers would adapt well. Probably, some would not.
About 10 years ago, in an event in Brisbane, I had bowled in the first squad, and was watching a top Qld bowler - then and now - bowl in the 2nd squad. It was fascinating. He put the ball down, generally in about a 20cm, area, on different lines, every shot, and threw 2X 260 games. I think he'd have a problem with a balanced plastic.
Don't think we're likely to see one run. Lack of entries might be a problem.
