Australian manufacturing company, Kookaburra, is developing a wax-based product that could potentially offer an alternative option for bowlers to shine the ball in post COVID-19 world.
This wax applicator could be ready in a month's time amid the game's global suspension because of the deadly outbreak.
Read Also: Sachin Tendulkar says ball shining, team celebrations will change after COVID-19 pandemic
Deeming the cricket ball as a potential source of COVID-19 spread, the ICC in its recent CEC meeting had reportedly discussed banning the traditional practice of applying saliva, sweat to maintain the shine.
"Kookaburra's research and development centre in Australia has been working on a product to replace the traditional methods of polishing a ball that could be controlled and managed by the match umpire. We have developed a unique wax formula for polishing a cricket ball," Kookaburra's group managing director, Brett Elliott, told the PA news agency.
"The pocket-size sponge applicator would enable umpires or players to apply a thin layer of wax which could then be rubbed and polished in a traditional manner to enhance the shine on the ball."
In Australia, at least, the use of saliva, sweat has already been restricted, as per the guidelines framed by Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) for the stage-by-stage resumption of on-field action.
"This (wax applicator) could be available within a month, however, it has be tested in match conditions as the ability to complete real trial matches at the moment is inhibited," said Elliott.
"It may not be something we need to make forever, it's designed to get cricket back and give administrators time to make decisions. Nobody was calling out for this 12 months ago so maybe it is more of an interim measure."
It is feared that the ban on using saliva, sweat could result in a skew in favour of certain kinds of bowling, which is also something Kookaburra is wary of.
"It's important that a change to the method of ball polishing does not provide favour to one bowling discipline over another; the beauty of cricket is that it encourages teams to use a range of bowling skills and it would be a shame to lose any of them," said Elliott.
"The ultimate objective and challenge faced by manufacturers and administrators is to ensure the balance between bat and ball is preserved."
(Inputs from PA news)
