Former India opener Wasim Jaffer weighed in over likely ban on usage of saliva as a ball-applicator to maintain shine amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it would make life difficult for bowlers and further tilt the balance of the sport in favour of batsmen.  

The ICC Cricket Committee's proposal to ensure the cricket ball doesn't become a potential source of on-field Coronavirus spread will most probably be ratified by the governing body at its latest meeting on June 10 and be applicable on matches played thereafter, at least till the pandemic is over. 

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"The ICC has come up with a solution of not using the saliva, or things like that. For bowlers, it is going to be hard to not use saliva, and not shine the ball. Then I think, it is going to be lot easier for batsmen," Jaffer said during an Instagram chat with his employers 'Indian Oil'.

"Again, ICC will have to make sure that the balance remains pretty equal for batsmen and bowlers and you don't want to make it one-sided for anyone of them," added the 42-year-old, who played 31 Tests for India. 

Jaffer suggested usage of one new ball from each end in Test cricket, as is done in ODIs, and preparation of bowler-friendly surfaces to ensure one discipline of the game isn't marginalised. 

"I suggested that in a Test match you could use two new balls, that is one thing that can happen. Probably the curators can make a wicket which is even for both batsmen and bowlers, not too batting or bowling friendly," he said. 

England will be hosting West Indies for a three-Test series in July amid bio-secure arrangements, without crowd presence and in adherence with the highest safety protocols made necessary to be followed by the ICC. 

Jaffer thinks players will take time to get used to the new rules and overcoming their old habits. 

"It will be interesting. Cricket is not a very physical sport, but still in the dressing room, you sit very close, while you are going to field you make a huddle and the captain talks, gives you a motivating talk, it's very hard to maintain that distance."

"At the end of an over, batsmen come close and chat together, it is hard to follow those things and remember all those things in an intense game," he concluded. 

(Inputs from PTI)