Wax to replace saliva to shine the ball? West Indies pacer Kemar Roach backs idea!

New Delhi, June 19: West Indies pacer Kemar Roach supported the idea to use wax the ball instead of the saliva that has been banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC). He even also liked the idea to use a second new ball after 50-55 overs during an innings of a Test match.

 

 

The ban on saliva by the ICC comes as a precautionary measure against coronavirus but it has favored the batsmen more than the bowlers. It is because the use of saliva helps to shine on the ball in order to swing the ball that will lead to taking wickets more. So, to maintain the balance between the ball and bowl, many former and current cricketers are coming up with new techniques.

 

“It is tough to gauge at this point. I have grown up playing cricket my entire life, using saliva to shine the ball. I guess we can try a wax and see how it works, but the new ball every 50 overs is a decent idea as well. At least give the bowlers a chance,” Roach was quoted as saying to a private media.

 

“I think, right now, things are tilted towards the batting side. We have to experiment and try to find ways to balance the cricket and ensure we are keeping bowlers interested in the game,” he added.

 

Earlier, in an interaction between former Australian pacer Brett Lee and Sachin Tendulkar, both of them discussed to use wax to shine the ball. They had also suggested taking a new ball after every 50 overs in an innings of a Test match to give bowlers something to play with.

 

If a player does apply saliva to the ball, the umpires will manage the situation with some leniency during an initial period of adjustment for the players, but subsequent instances will result in the team receiving a warning. A team can be issued up to two warnings per innings but repeated use of saliva on the ball will result in a 5-run penalty to the batting side. Whenever saliva is applied to the ball, the umpires will be instructed to clean the ball before play recommences.

 

All international cricket has been suspended since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the cricket will kick-start in July as England and West Indies will take on each other in the three-match Test series. The first Test of the series will be played from July 8.