The players can still use sweat to shine the ball under the rule changes.
Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra has reacted to the changes made to a few rules of the game by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Tuesday, March 9.
The MCC has announced that the ‘Mankad’ mode of dismissal will now be treated as a runout instead of unfair play, as well as a complete ban on the use of saliva on a cricket ball.
Another big change is that a new batter coming to the crease will be at the striker's end and will face the next delivery regardless of whether the previous pair had crossed before the catch was completed.
Well, Chopra was particularly vocal about the permanent ban on the use of saliva in the game of cricket, and even he has a suggestion for the MCC.
Notably, the ban on saliva was introduced in 2020 following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic for hygienic reasons. However, the players can still use sweat to shine the ball under the rule changes that come into effect on October 1, 2022.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “Saliva ban was imposed due to Covid. The committee feels that there hasn't been any significant damage to the swing as the ball still swings a fair amount. So let's continue playing with that. I am okay with it because it is unhygienic.”
He concluded, “However, this will definitely have an effect on the reverse swing. So the second new ball can be made available a bit early. Or to shine the ball you can make use of a material like wax just to balance the contest, especially in dry conditions.”