Earlier this week the International Council of Cricket (ICC) recommended banned the use of saliva to polish cricket ball. The ICC Cricket committee led by Anil Kumble said that the cricketing body wants to lessen the risk post COVID-19 and thus, recommended banning the saliva.
Reacting to the news, in a Skysports show, English Test skipper Joe Root said, in the long run, saliva ban will benefit the bowlers, as they will put extra effort to get the batsman out.
“It could work in our favour and up skill levels. Not having the assistance that you might normally have means your accuracy has to improve,” said Root in the show.
Bowlers will have to add extra skills
Speaking further in the show, Joe Root added that bowlers will have to add some extra skills in their locker to compensate the saliva use.
“Guys will have to find another way to get something out of the surface, whether that’s a bit more effort, changing angles on the crease, using the wobble seam they might not have in their locker,” Joe Root said during the show.
He also explained that this will not be an instant change and bowlers need some time to brush up the skills.
“It could develop our bowlers in a four or five-week period,” he added.
We are all in the same boat: Broad
Stuard Broad who was also participated in the discussion along with Joe Root discussed about the training session and upcoming fixtures ahead.
“I have bowled 12 overs so far and felt really good,” said Broad. “The key is not to get too excited, too competitive early and push too much. Let the body naturally get used to bowling again.
Explaining the statement he added that one doesn’t want to bowl batsman too early after a long break. He also added that every team has the same situation due to the COVID-19 imposed lockdown.
“We are all in the same boat. It’s not like any team is going to come in with loads more or loads less preparation. It will be an even playing field,” concluded Stuart broad.
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