Synopsis
Tim Southee, the former New Zealand pacer, has voiced his support for Mohammed Shami's appeal to lift the saliva ban on the ball in international cricket. This ban, initially implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been considered detrimental to bowlers' ability to achieve reverse swing.Key Takeaways
- Tim Southee supports Mohammed Shami's call to lift the saliva ban.
- The ICC banned saliva use for ball polishing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Shami argues that saliva is crucial for achieving reverse swing.
- Southee emphasizes the need for bowlers to have an advantage in cricket.
- Saliva is more beneficial for red-ball cricket than white-ball cricket.
New Delhi, March 6 (NationPress) Former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has backed Indian pacer Mohammed Shami in advocating for the removal of the saliva ban on the ball in international cricket, emphasizing its importance for bowlers to achieve reverse swing. The International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed this ban in May 2020 as a temporary measure during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it was made permanent in September 2022.
Following India's four-wicket victory against Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal, Shami stated, "We are trying (to get reverse swing), but the usage of saliva on the ball is not allowed. 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."
In agreement with Shami, Southee called on the ICC to lift the ban on saliva to provide bowlers with an edge.
"That was a rule brought around Covid with the virus going around the world, but I think as a bowler, you want to have a slight advantage," Southee shared on ESPNcricinfo's Match Day. "We see the game evolving with teams scoring 362 and often exceeding 300. There needs to be something in the bowlers' favour, and allowing a little saliva would be beneficial."
The experienced Black Caps bowler pointed out that using saliva to shine one side of the ball for reverse swing is particularly effective in red-ball cricket compared to white-ball cricket.
"I think the ball only swings for a few overs initially in white-ball cricket. But with the red ball, you can bring it back, and sweat can be limited at times in various regions worldwide, whereas saliva is readily available from multiple sources everywhere," he explained.
"I believe there is a significant advantage to using saliva on the ball, especially in red-ball cricket compared to white-ball cricket," he concluded.
