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Southee and Philander support Shami's request to lift the ban on using saliva to shine the cricket ball
Southee and Philander support Shami's request to lift the ban on using saliva to shine the cricket ball
ICC banned bowlers from using saliva during the COVID-19 pandemic, making the ban permanent in September 2022.
Mohammed Shami has requested ICC to reverse the ban of using saliva for ball shining, in an urge to return the reverse swing.
"We're trying to get reverse swing, but we can't use saliva on the ball," Shami told reporters after India's four-wicket win against Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final. "We keep asking that we should be allowed to use saliva so we can bring reverse swing back into the game, making it more exciting."
The rule against using saliva to shine the ball was first introduced in May 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic as a temporary measure. Then, in September 2022, the ICC made this ban permanent.
Shami has asked the ICC to think about changing their decision. He has support from former international bowlers Vernon Philander and Tim Southee, who believe that reverse swing is really missing from the game, especially on pitches that are easier for batters.
"That rule came about because of Covid, with the virus spreading globally. But as a bowler, I believe you should have a small advantage," Southee said on ESPNcricinfo's Match Day. "We're seeing teams score 362 runs and usually over 300 runs in this format. I think we need to give bowlers some help, and if that means allowing a little saliva, then I don't see why that can't be allowed again."
Philander mentioned that using saliva and reverse swing could have helped South Africa during the Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand, especially in the later part of the innings. New Zealand scored 362 runs for 6 wickets in their 50 overs.
Philander mentioned that using saliva on the ball helps create reverse swing by making one side shinier. He believes this adds an important element to the game, especially in ODI cricket, where batting dominates, particularly on batter-friendly pitches like those in Pakistan.
Southee added that saliva plays a bigger role in red-ball cricket than in white-ball cricket. He explained that while the white ball swings only for a few overs, the red ball can reverse swing later in the game. Saliva is easily accessible in all parts of the world, unlike sweat, which might not always be an option. He feels saliva gives players an advantage, especially in maintaining the ball for longer periods in red-ball cricket.
According to Philander, saliva has an advantage over sweat when polishing the ball because it keeps the ball drier. Using sweat often wets both sides of the ball, especially in hot and humid conditions where players sweat heavily, making it harder to control how much sweat gets on the ball. Saliva, on the other hand, offers better control and allows for more precise polishing, which helps in maintaining the ball's condition for a longer time during play.
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