Fast-bowling legend and Pakistan bowling coach Waqar Younis has on Thursday (September 3) called the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the standardization of ball brand in the Test cricket.
Pointing out that the bowlers are finding it tough to adjust to using different types of the ball when they play around the world especially in the Test cricket, Younis urged the ICC to take a decision on the usage of only one brand of the ball around the world for the five-day format.
At the moment, three cricket different balls named Dukes, Kookaburra, and SG are used for international matches across the cricket playing nation in the world.
Pakistan’s bowling coach made the call following his team’s recent tough England tour where players of both teams struggled to bowl without the use of saliva to shine the ball, which is banned by the ICC due to the fear of deadly COVID-19 spread on the field.
Recently, Pakistan had played with the Duke's brand during their 1-0 defeat in the three-match Test series before they drew the three-match T20I series in England.
Younis wrote in a column for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB): “One of the challenges that both teams faced in the recent Test series was the ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball. I do not think it was actually a major issue given the weather. The pitches themselves were very dry but there was always moisture in the air and the outfields were lush so keeping the ball in good condition was not a problem. In other parts of the world, it is always more challenging to keep the ball in good condition.”
He added, “Also, the Dukes ball that is used in England stays harder for longer than most other balls, which made the saliva issue less of a problem. I have been a big advocate of the Dukes ball for many years but I feel that only one brand of the ball should be used around the world for Test cricket.”
Younis signed off, “It does not matter which brand but the ICC should make that decision. It is hard for bowlers to adjust to using different types of ball when they play around the world.”
(With IANS Inputs)
