Legendary paceman Wasim Akram warned on Wednesday that bowlers would change into “robots” after cricket officers quickly banned shining the ball with saliva as a coronavirus precaution.
Bowlers historically get the ball to maneuver or swing within the air by making use of shine to 1 aspect utilizing sweat or saliva.
The Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC), nonetheless, has quickly banned the observe over virus transmission fears as groups put together to return to the pitch within the coming weeks.
Gamers can nonetheless apply sweat to the ball.
“It will make bowlers robots, coming and bowling without swing,” Akram advised AFP, saying they must be affected person and watch for the ball to age naturally.
“It’s a quizzical situation for me as I grew up using saliva to shine the ball and to swing it,” he added.
“I’m all for precautions in these robust instances, so bowlers have to attend for the ball to get outdated and tough for them to get swing.”
Sweat alone was unlikely to generate swing as in some international locations it was too chilly, stated Akram.
“Sweat is just something of an add-on, a top-up. Too much use of sweat will leave the cricket ball too wet,” he stated.
Akram, who took 414 Check and 502 one-day worldwide wickets in a storied profession, believes synthetic substance may doubtlessly assist as he inspired officers to maintain trying to find alternate options.
“I consider that they might want to discover a affordable resolution. Synthetic substances like vaseline may very well be used to swing the ball however how a lot 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.”
Worldwide cricket resumes with England internet hosting the West Indies in a Check sequence later this month.
Akram stated solutions that restricted ball tampering be allowed also needs to be thought of by officers.
“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,” he added.
“The sport is already tilted extra in favour of the batsmen.”
