ICC could allow use of artificial substance for ball shining
Due to Coronavirus (Covid-19), many changes can could be seen in cricket in the coming years. In view of the possibility of infection, the use of artificial substance in place of saliva can be approved to brighten the red ball. According to a report by cricket website ESPN Cricinfo, the process will be monitored by the umpire. According to current ICC rules, ball polishing with artificial material is considered ball tempering. This means that ball tempering can now be legalized in the coming times.
Given the risk of infection with coronavirus, the issue of salivating balls was raised by Peter Harcourt, the head of the ICC Medical Committee. Harcourt said, “Our next step is to create a good roadmap to resume international cricket.” It will cover all the changes which are necessary for cricket and players. “
It is difficult to bowl without ball shining in Test cricket
Recently, Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood also said that in the coming times it will become very difficult to bowl in Test cricket. He said, “I think bowling with a white ball would be fine, but Test cricket will be very difficult. If you do not maintain the ball properly for 80 overs, it will become much easier to bat after the ball loses its shine. ” At the same time, former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad said not to apply saliva to the ball. He said, “With the start of cricket, only sweat should be used for some time, because the safety of the players is at the top. Using saliva can be fatal. “
Smith-Warner were banned for 12 months due to ball tempering
The Australian team, captained by Steve Smith in South Africa, suffered embarrassment in March 2018 due to ball tempering. Many veterans, including former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, criticized the players for this. Smith and David Warner were banned for 1 year after the incident at the Cape Town Test, while Cameron Bancroft was suspended for 9 months. All three players were found guilty of tampering with the ball using sandpaper.
