Former India Skipper and ICC Cricket Committee chairman Anil Kumble feels managing the saliva ban during matches will not be easy for bowlers. He also admitted that saliva banning is an interim measure and taken only to minimize risk of the contagious virus.
The Spin Wizard suggested that while it would be difficult for pace bowlers to bowl in Test matches, banning saliva might open an opportunity for spinners to come into the scene citing that the game of cricket has an advantage of adjustable variance in the pitch
Players will find hard to manage
Kumble, who is third-highest wicket taker in Tests for India, speaking about the Saliva ban decision said it was based on the medical advisory but it’s something that bowlers will find hard to manage.
“Based on medical advice, we believe that saliva could be the major contributor to carrying this disease and that’s why we banned the use of saliva, although it’s second nature in cricket,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Anil Kumble as saying during a webinar, organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Wednesday.
“That’s something that players will find hard to manage,” former Indian Skipper added.
Let’s get spinners back in the game
Speaking on the Webinar, Kumble suggested leaving a bit grass in the pitch and playing two spinner in the side could be one of the options to make the game fair and balance while saliva ban is in place.
“You can probably leave grass on the surface or even rough it up and have two spinners. Let’s get spinners back in the game in a Test match. Because if it’s a one-day or T20 game, you’re not worried about the ball or shining of the ball. Sweat can certainly take care of that.”
He further added everyone longing for resumption of cricket at the moment without thinking too much about saliva or sweat or condition of the ball.
“All of us are yearning to start the game and not really worried about saliva or sweat or condition of the ball – we just want to play cricket.”
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