5 Cricketing habits that could change post Coronavirus pandemic
Even if cricket resumes later in the year, the players and the authorities will be aware of the Coronavirus haunting them back again.
2. Use of saliva to shine the ball
Fast bowlers’ trusted weapon to swing the ball, using saliva could disappear now. Saliva is used to shine the one side of the ball especially in Test cricket. The fielding side and the bowlers are constantly seen shining one side of the red cherry to keep the ball swinging for a large amount of time before it gets old.
Moreover, a similar strategy is used to help the ball reverse as well after around 50-60 overs. Ahead of the ODI series between India and South Africa, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had also expressed the possibility of not using saliva to shine the ball during the match. However, this will take the advantage away from the bowlers in an already batsman-dominated game.
Even Pat Cummins recently doubted playing the sport if use of saliva to shine the ball is banned. “As a bowler I think it would be pretty tough going if we couldn’t shine the ball in a Test match. If it’s at that stage and we’re that worried about the spread, I’m not sure we’d be playing sport,” he had said. It will be interesting to see, if this continues when Cricket resumes.
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