Cricketers have done this whole life: Brett Lee feels ban on usage of saliva will be hard to implement

The cricket scenario is expected to witness a complete turnaround in the post-coronavirus world. ICC, in its attempt to curb the outbreak of COVID-19 on the field, has instructed against the usage of saliva to shine the ball during matches. ICC’s decision has left the cricket world divided into two halves.

While one section of the cricket fraternity believes that the ban of saliva will encourage hygienic practices on the field, the other part feels that the move will shift the game completely in the favour of batsmen.

In the wake of COVID-19 debacle, it was anticipated that the ICC would induce a few rules in the sport and that’s exactly what happened. In its guidelines issued on Friday, the ICC said saliva should not be applied to shine the ball.

“The ICC Cricket Committee heard from the Chair of the ICC Medical Advisory Committee Dr Peter Harcourt regarding the elevated risk of the transmission of the virus through saliva, and unanimously agreed to recommend that the use of saliva to polish the ball be prohibited,” ICC said in its statement.

It’s very hard to change a habit overnight: Brett Lee

Former Australian speedster, Brett Lee, while opining on the new guideline, has said that the non-usage of saliva on cricket balls will be hard to implement in the post-coronavirus world. According to Lee, it’s very hard to change something that you’ve been doing since your childhood.

Speaking on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected, Brett Lee said: “When you have done something your whole life from 8,9, 10 years of age where you lick your fingers and you put on the ball, it’s very hard to change that overnight too.”

Lee, who donned the Australian jersey in 76 Tests and 221 ODIs, appealed to ICC to show some leniency towards the rule as bowlers need time to adjust to new habits.

“So, I think there’s going to be a couple of occasions, or there’s going to be some leniency I think from the ICC, where there may be warnings. It’s a great initiative, it’s going to be very hard to implement I think because cricketers have done this for their whole life,” he added.

Recently, India international Ravichandran Ashwin had also expressed quite a similar opinion towards the ban on usage of salvia. The off-spinner had pointed out applying saliva on the cricket ball is a habit and such habits tend to require some time to change.