While the International Cricket Council (ICC) has just banned applying saliva to the ball for the interim period, the legendary Pakistan left-arm pacer Wasim Akram feels that it will make the bowlers robot.
Coronavirus has affected the world and it is still dominating. But as international cricket is on the verge of resumption, the ICC has banned applying saliva to the ball for the interim period to restrict the transmission of the virus. However, many believe that it will affect the bowlers, especially in Test cricket.
Wasim Akram believes that banning applying saliva to the ball will make the bowlers robot who will get very lesser help from the ball. The 54-year-old former left-arm pacer feels that it is a quizzical situation for him who learnt to swing the ball by applying saliva to the ball.
Akram recently told AFP, “It will make bowlers robots, coming and bowling without swing. It’s a quizzical situation for me as I grew up using saliva to shine the ball and to swing it. I am all for precautions in these tough times, so bowlers have to wait for the ball to get old and rough for them to get swing.”
Though the ICC has continued applying sweat to the ball, Akram has clarified that it is just an add-on as too much sweat will leave the ball too wet.
He added, “Sweat is just something of an add-on, a top-up. Too much use of sweat will leave the cricket ball too wet.”
I believe that they will need to find a reasonable solution: Wasim Akram
In this crisis, Akram has called for a reasonable solution, including applying artificial substances to the ball which can help the ball to swing. While international cricket is likely to resume with the three-match Test series between the hosts England and the visitors West Indies from 8th July, Akram wants to experience the game with the new regulations.
He said, “I believe that they will need to find a reasonable solution. Artificial substances like vaseline could be used to swing the ball but how much of it? Let´s see, we have this England versus the West Indies series to judge how it goes, because I have never experienced this thing.”
Some experts have suggested allowing limited ball-tampering during this crisis. However, Akram has questioned out on that process as he feels that it needs time before coming to any decision on this.
Akram claimed, “When can you tamper the ball? Right from the first over or after 20-25 overs? They will need to sit down and do brainstorming. The game is already tilted more in favour of the batsmen.”
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