India’s premier speedster Mohammed Shami admitted that the saliva-ban will impact bowlers, as well as, it would be difficult to replace the saliva with an external substance like wax or Vaseline while calling for bowler-friendly pitches to maintain the balance between bat and ball in the game.
Shami, who is India’s frontline pacer in all three formats of the game, along with Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Umesh Yadav, is part of one of the most lethal Test pace attacks in the world.
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ICC has banned the usage of the saliva to shine the ball to combat the COVID-19 threat as well as some other regulations for the cricket’s return post-Coronavirus-forced hiatus around the world.
Well, the saliva-ban is seen as harsh for the bowlers and Shami also agreed that the fast bowlers will lose out on some advantages but said there is no point moping as the move is temporary. The seamer further said everyone will have to adjust to this new rule, but reckoned the bowlers will need at least a month to get used to playing without saliva or with an external substance.
Shami said, “Using saliva is a habit now. Replacing it with an external substance like wax or Vaseline is going to be difficult. We'll need to assess how well the external substance works and will need at least a month to get used to it. Otherwise, it's a guaranteed fine on us bowlers.”
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He further added, “It is true that shining the ball with saliva does play a role in getting the ball to reverse swing. It might affect it to a certain extent. Bowlers need to prepare in a different way now. But this rule won’t be a permanent one I am sure. Everyone will have to adjust to this new rule. It remains to be seen how bowlers will practice and prepare for this. Things will be clearer when we are given guidelines by the BCCI and train accordingly before matches. Bowlers will lose out on some advantages for sure, but there is no point moping. Perhaps the pitches could be prepared to give some advantage to bowlers.”
Lauding Jasprit Bumrah, the speedster said: “I am lucky to have Bumrah bowling from the other end. His accuracy and pace are just spot on. We talk a lot off the field and on the field too. We understand each other’s strengths and adjust well according to the conditions.”
Shami signed off by saying, “Bowling alongside him actually works quite well for me. When the batsmen are trying to negate his pace, I come into bowl and surprise them with my swing. Bumrah is a tremendous bowler and I learn a lot from him.”
(With Hindustan Times/ESPNCricinfo Inputs)
