After Mohammed Shami, these players back saliva use in cricket
What's the story
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami recently urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to revoke its ban on saliva usage to shine the ball. The pacer feels this would revive reverse swing, a skill that once made the game exciting. The ICC initially banned the use of saliva on the cricket ball in May 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it was made permanent due to health concerns. Backing Shami, veteran pacers Vernon Philander and Tim Southee have also voiced their concerns.
Skill revival
Shami emphasizes need for reverse swing in cricket
Shami, after India's Champions Trophy semi-final victory over Australia, said, "We keep appealing that we should be allowed to use saliva so that we can bring reverse swing back into the game and it becomes interesting." He stressed on the importance of reverse swing in cricket and requested the ICC to rethink their decision. This appeal has found support from former international bowlers Philander and Southee.
Endorsements
Philander and Southee support Shami's call
Philander and Southee have lent their support to Shami's appeal. They feel reverse swing is missing in the game, particularly on batter-friendly surfaces. Southee said, "I think there needs to be something in the bowlers' favor, and whether that's a little bit of saliva, then yeah, I don't see why they couldn't afford to get that back in." Philander also said saliva use could've helped South Africa in their Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand.
Preference
Saliva vs sweat: A debate among bowlers
Philander and Southee spoke about the benefits of using saliva instead of sweat for ball polishing. Philander said, "Saliva was definitely the preferred method of shining the ball," as it is controllable unlike sweat. Southee said saliva's usage in red-ball cricket could be an advantage, as it can get reverse swing more easily than in white-ball cricket.