As the entire cricketing world await the return of the sport, stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, reports have already emerged for legalizing ball-tampering to avoid the dangers of rubbing saliva on the cricket ball.
Given the spit and polish doesn’t meet new health standards, the ICC is looking into ways of allowing artificial substances to be used in shining the ball, which is against the current rules of cricket.
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However, the current Head Coach of Sri Lanka, Mickey Arthur, currently in lockdown at his hotel in Colombo due to the travel restrictions around the globe, has voiced his opinion against the legalizing of ball-tampering on Twitter.
Having recently joined Twitter, a popular social media platform, Arthur tweeted: “I have to be honest I have an issue with legalizing ball tampering albeit in front of the umpire…..to many grey areas! What about getting a new ball at say over 55?
I have to be honest I have an issue with legalising ball tampering albeit in front of the umpire…..to many grey areas!
What about getting a new ball at say over 55?— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) April 27, 2020
So Arthur’s suggestion can only be applied in Test cricket which has a rule of changing the ball after the 80th over of an innings. In 50-over cricket, two balls are being used from either ends, so effectively a ball will be used only for 25 overs. In T20 cricket, only one ball is used to complete the quota of 20 overs.
Some of the bowlers, active and retired, have gone on record stating that Test cricket will be a nightmare for the bowlers if the new health procedures do not allow applying saliva on the ball. They, however think that limited-overs cricket can be played without using saliva on the ball.
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“I think the white ball would be fine, [but] Test cricket would be very hard. Bowlers rely on any sort of sideways movement in the air,” Australia fast bowler Josh Hazelwood said. “If you didn’t maintain the ball at all for 80 overs it would be quite easy to bat after that initial shine has gone.
Some of the greats of the game have already squashed the idea of using artificial substances on the match ball when competitive cricket resumes.
“As a fast bowler, I reject this because this (using saliva and sweat) is a natural process. A ball exchanges hands all day, you run in, huffing and puffing, you sweat and using saliva is natural rather than on intent. It’s a habit and you just can’t control this aspect,” Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
Former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald, however, had a different opinion on it.
“I absolutely agree with legalizing ball-tampering. We see guys throwing the ball on the ground and umpires say to throw it up and it’s pretty obvious what they are doing. It could work if it is well-monitored. “ he said in an interview to ESPNCricinfo.
Despite the reports emerging of ball-tampering to be legalized when cricket resumes, a final decision will only be taken after the ICC Cricket Committee set to meet via video conference in late May or early June.
What’s your take on legalizing ball-tampering? Comment your opinion below.
