[10][11] The use of hybrid pitches[a] was permitted for the first time, despite previous concerns that they do not deteriorate enough during a four-day match and are therefore suitable only for limited overs cricket.
[12][13] In research carried out by the Professional Cricketers' Association prior to the start of the season, concerns were expressed about players' welfare due to the congested schedule (including the T20 Blast, One-Day Cup, and The Hundred).
The motivation behind this was to develop bowlers with the skills to compete at an international level, give spinners more of a role at the beginning of the season, and encourage batters to score quickly.
[16] After the Kookaburra had been used during the first two rounds of the 2024 season, England men's team director Rob Key hailed the experiment a success.
Batters hit as many double centuries as in whole of the previous season, and in the second round accumulated 10 scores of 150 or more, which was a record for a set of matches starting on the same day.
[21] Writing in Wisden Cricket Monthly, Laurence Booth noted that using the Kookaburra on spongy pitches during one of the UK's wettest springs was "like mixing oil with water – and expecting nectar", but pointed to the first-round performance of seam bowler Sam Cook in explaining Key's perspective.