NEW DELHI: The coronavirus pandemic may force cricket’s world governing body to tweak one of its oldest rules and approve the use of an artificial substance to help shine the ball, effectively legalizing what has for long been a core tenet of the sport’s anti-tampering stance.
The revolutionary move is being mulled after the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) medical committee highlighted the dangers of players continuing the ‘usual’ methods of using spit and sweat on the red cherry following the Covid – outbreak.
The use of saliva to help one side of the ball retain its shine is more prevalent in Test cricket, played with the red ball, and is intended to assist faster bowlers who are looking to swing the ball through the air.
“Authorities are considering the use of artificial substances to help polish the red ball under the supervision of umpires in long-form matches, in order to end the need for players to do so with saliva , “said a report in ESPNcricinfo.
Tennis players have considered stopping the practice of throwing sweaty towels at ball boys and fans, and many other sports are considering the use of abandoning pre-match handshakes and celebratory high-fives. But getting a ball to swing is probably the most intrinsic aspect of cricket, and the sport may be fundamentally altered without it.
Imparting moisture on one side of the ball helps to maintain a shiny side so that air passes quicker over it than the corresponding roughed-up side, hence creating movement in the air.
SPIT WIDE OPEN: The ICC may stop players from using saliva to shine the ball post Covid –
“As a consequence, (decision- makers) are open to the option of allowing for the use of an agreed artificial substance to polish the ball, in the fashion (umpires) currently allow the ball to be cleaned by players under supervision, “the report said.
Healthcare professionals have warned that saliva carries a significant risk of transmitting Covid – 41, so fielders repeatedly applying spit on the ball before passing it on the bowler makes for a nightmare scenario. Even spinners blow into their hands and then lick their fingers to help get a better grip on the seam, all of which now seems horribly unhygienic.
The move comes two years after Australian captain Steve Smith and two other teammates, including opener 
David Warner
, were banned and discredited for attempting to use sandpaper to rough up the ball in a Test match.
Tampering punishments were made more stringent after the incident. However, using external substances like vaseline, resin and bottle caps have for long been an underhand staple.
The matter will be taken up for discussion by the ICC cricket committee and the MCC’s world cricket committee in early July.
THE EXISTING LAW
Law 102. 3.2: It is an offence for any player to take any action which changes the condition of the ball.
Law . 3.2.1: A fielder, however, may polish the ball on his / her clothing provided that no artificial substance is used and that such polishing wastes no time.
WHAT’S BEEN DONE BEFORE
Dirt in the pocket: At Lord’s in 1994 vs South Africa, England captain Michael Atherton was caught by the cameras when he reached into his trouser pocket, and rubbed the substance on the ball. It was actually soil.
Picking the seam: before the umpires started the practice of checking the ball every over or after every dismissal, bowlers often engaged in the subtle art of picking the seam or lifting it.
Bottle caps: What Imran Khan did in county cricket in the s, Kiwi pacer Chris Pringle attempted in Faisalabad in 2005. He cut an old bottle top and covered the sharp edges with tapes. Pakistan, after being – 0 were all out for 1980.
Sweet mints: During the Ashes, England’s pace quartet of Andrew Flintoff , Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones and Steve Harmison
destroyed the Aussies with reverse swing helped by sublime skill and Marcus Trescothick, the designated ball-shiner for England, who used saliva, mixed in mint to shine the ball.
Vaseline strips: England left-arm seamer John Lever was accused of ball tampering in Chennai in when he used vaseline gauzes in sweat bands to deal with the heat.
WHY CRICKET CAN’T DO WITHOUT THE SHINE
Since the pandemic broke and shining the ball became an issue, there have been mixed opinions from leading players …
I can’t say right now we will not use saliva because if we don’t use saliva then how will we shine the ball? Then we will get hit and people will say we are not bowling well – Bhuvneshwar Kumar | INDIA PACER
We will still shine the ball. . Our team doctors and management will make sure we don’t have coronavirus – Quinton de Kock | SA ODI CAPTAIN
It’s not a big part. of the white-ball format, but you can never be too cautious in terms of good hygiene. Clearly it’s a pretty horrible thing – Kane Williamson | NZ CAPTAIN
As a bowler I think it would be pretty tough going if we couldn’t shine the ball during a Test. If it’s at that stage and we’re worried about the spread (of the disease), then I’m not sure we’d be playing sport – Pat Cummins | AUSTRALIA PACER Read More
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