Managing the cricket ball and specifically ensuring no saliva is intentionally or unintentionally applied on it will be umpires' biggest challenge for matches played within the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, said Nitin Menon, the youngest member in the ICC elite panel of umpires.
Menon was on Monday (June 29) graduated to the 12-member elite panel, having made his international umpiring debut only three years back.
Read Also: India’s Nitin Menon included in ICC's Elite Umpires Panel for 2020-21
Given the pandemic, Menon doesn't know when his next assignment is going to come. But the 36-year-old is aware that the biggest challenge will be to uphold the ban imposed by the ICC on the traditional method of ball-shining.
"The main challenge will be of ball management, more so in Tests. Initially, we will give friendly warning to the players before applying the law, like we do it when someone is running dangerously on the pitch," Menon was quoted as saying by the PTI.
"The players are most likely to apply saliva by mistake than deliberately. So, we will act accordingly. More details on playing conditions will come after the series in England (starting next month), then we will know more on how to go about recent changes made in the game," he added.
Menon said his dream is to do umpiring during an Ashes series whenever things get back to normal.
"My dream series will be Ashes without a doubt. That is the only series I watch on TV. The atmosphere, the way the series is fought is something I want be involve in. Whether in England or Australia I would love to be part of it. And, umpiring in the World Cup, be it T20 or ODI.”
The ICC recently decided to do away with the neutral umpires policy on an interim basis due to the travelling restrictions in place at the moment.
The bio-secure bubble that matches will be played in before the pandemic is officially over won't just be a challenge for the players involved. Menon said umpires will also have to make a mental adjustment.
"Mentally, it will be challenging, because we will have to quarantine ourselves. I am told the umpires for the England-West Indies are in their hotel for the last 10 days."
"So, staying indoors for that long will be a challenge because normally we get to go out and relax after a long day in the field. We will be away from family also."
Apart from ensuring no saliva is applied on the ball, umpires' duty will also be to see that all other health protocols are being followed and that they themselves are sanitising their hands properly after contacting the ball.
"Wearing gloves could be an individual choice for umpires but we have decided that we will keep santisers in our pockets. After the fall of a wicket and drinks break, we have to hold the ball, so just to be safe," Menon said.
"And by chance, if a players put saliva on the ball, we will have to immediately sanitise it. That will be the job of the fourth umpire. He will come to the middle with wipes and sanitise the ball. But we need to follow that protocol only if we see the saliva being applied only then," he added.
(Inputs from PTI)
