The topic which is bowling up in cricket is legalising of ball-tampering post-COVID-19. ICC is just considering using artificial materials on the ball instead of saliva and sweat, which can spread the virus. Though no particular call has been taken on the subject, former West Indes cricketer Michael Holding and former South Africa cricketer Allan Donald has kept their views on the same subject
Players use saliva and sweat to shine the ball, which helps in swinging the ball, which is legal in ICC’s rule but using outer material like sandpaper, bottle caps or vaseline is against the rules.
Michael Holding questioned ICC:
Players will have to quarantine themselves for at least two weeks before the start of the game. So, Holding questions if the players will isolate themselves then why saliva can’t be used then because they would be coronavirus free.
“Now, if you are saying everyone is in the bio-secure environment, you are staying in the same hotel, you are not moving for the length of time you are playing the matches, if that is the case why are you worried about someone’s saliva?
“That person according to what you are doing should be free of Covid-19. If the ICC thinks that the two-week period to prove that you are free of Covid-19 is not foolproof, then that means you are putting everyone in that environment in jeopardy?
Alland Donald okay with the idea:
The proteas great said that he is in favour of using artificial substances on the ball but under the eyes of the umpire. He wants the whole procedure should be appropriately monitored.
On the other hand, former Pakistan cricketer Waqar Younis said that sweat and saliva are the natural substances and nobody can control them. He is against the idea of using an outer component to tamper the ball.