Lance Klusener suggests wax as a replacement for saliva to shine the ball

Klusener feels wax in limited quantity can be as an alternative to saliva post COVID-19 era.

 Klusener unable to attend Afghanistan's training in Kabul | Twitter

The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) move to ban the saliva in order to mitigate the Coronavirus threat has stirred up among the cricket fraternity with many former greats and cricket experts coming up with their opinion and suggestions regarding the latest rule.

Following the official announcement, cricketers will be unable to polish the ball with saliva once the cricket resumes after the ongoing COVID-19-forced hiatus.

Read Also: Sachin Tendulkar suggests introduction of a second new ball in Tests after ICC's saliva ban

Well, Former South African all-rounder and current head coach of the Afghanistan cricket team, Lance Klusener has also joined other cricket experts who have suggested some alternative options to shine the ball in the Corona Era after the age-old technique of using saliva banned due to COVID-19 threat.

Klusener has suggested that wax in limited quantity could be used as an alternative to saliva to shine the ball when cricket returns to action. However, the South African cricket coach agreed with the ICC's decision but said the board the use of the artificial substance should be allowed in limited quantity.

Speaking to Times of India, Klusener said: “They could perhaps use wax in limited quantity. The captain of the fielding team gets to keep it. After 80 overs of play, they get a new one while the old one is handed back to the umpire.”

Read Also: ICC bans saliva use, approves COVID-19 substitutes in Tests and additional DRS review

The Afghanistan head coach added, “I have no problem with saliva being banned by the ICC. Coronavirus is passed through saliva, so that makes sense. However, I would like to see a certain amount of a specific substance provided by the ball manufacturers (say 10ml for example) to the team captain which he can use at his discretion for 80 overs. After that, it can be replaced with a newer one.”

He signed off by saying, “Players will have to adapt to the new normal. Mistakes will be made by them at first but over a period of time they will get used to it.”

(With Times of India Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 10 Jun, 2020

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