If not saliva, there has to be some other option to shine the ball: Pat Cummins

The Coronavirus pandemic has created a situation where no cricket has been played for some time now. Apart from this, there is no assurance when the sport will resume. Moreover, it is being speculated that the usage of saliva to shine the ball will be banned in the post pandemic era. Debates are going on over the matter and Australia pacer Pat Cummins has joined the bandwagon and he feels there should be another option to keep the bowlers in the game if the saliva is going to be banned.

Talking about the impact the global pandemic will have, the pacer admits to the fact that a lot will change in cricket. He also stated that what matters to him is the bowlers are able to shine the ball and believes the advantage shouldn’t be taken away from them.

“Things will change in all sports, I agree. But I think there has to be some other option. Saliva or any another substance, as long as we are able to shine the ball, I am okay,” Cummins said during the show KKR unplugged. The No.1 Test bowler in the world also pointed out that the fans like watching Test cricket as it allows the bowlers to stay in the game thanks to the reverse swing aspect which comes into the game after the ball becomes old.

“As a fast bowler, you gotta be able to shine the ball. The reason why everyone loves Test cricket is that it has so much art to it. You have swing bowlers, spinners, you have all these different aspects that make Test cricket what it is”, the 27-year-old added.

Pat Cummins doesn’t want batsmen to score more runs

Australia’s joint Test vice-captain explained that if shining of the ball is taken out of the Test cricket, then the aspect of reversing the ball will also disappear. “I think if you can’t shine the ball, it takes away swing bowling, reverses swing bowling…so much really. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to give batsmen any reason to score more runs,” the 27-year-old said.

Pat Cummins has emerged as one of the best bowlers in Test cricket over the past few years. He has taken 143 wickets in 30 Tests so far and looks destined to scalp a lot more in the neat future.