Pacers will face serious problem: Zaved Zaman

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Post COVID-19 cricket may not be the same for the pace bowlers. Cricket bodies across the globe are considering not to allow sweat or saliva to shine the ball in the competition.

Shining cricket ball with saliva and sweat during the match is a very common seen in the cricket field. Not only have the bowler's, even fielders also do it on regular basis to keep the shine intact as long as possible.

But COVID-19 forced the organizers to think something different in this case. Competitive cricket is set to resume in Australia for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic struck the globe. The organizer of the meet already decided to put ban on use of sweat or saliva to shine the ball in the competition.

The experts of this game in the State today reacting on this issue admitted that if it happens it will invite a big problem for the pacers. They felt lack of proper shining of the ball will reduce the performance of the pace bowlers as they won't be able to swing the ball because of lack of shining.

Talking to The Sentinel the former pacer of the state Zaved Zaman said, "If pacers won't be able to use saliva or sweat to shine the ball it will be a big problem for them. The ball will not swing as desires and the bowler will be less effective. Shining the ball with saliva and sweat is an art and during my playing day's I choose those fielder in the mid on or mid off who could shine the ball proper way."

He was supported by another pacer of the State Arup Das. Arup, who is leading the current pace attack of the senior State team, said, "I have grown up shining the ball in this way. It helps to swing. We don't know whether there would be any change in this practice in post COVID-19 cricket. But if it happens then some alternative should be introduced. Otherwise the pace bowlers will face lot of difficulties."

Meanwhile the former spinner of the state Satyagopal Chakraborty admitted that if saliva and sweat are not allowed to shine the ball then it will affect in the performance of spinners also. "Spinners some time use shining side to bring variation in their bowling. So they too face little trouble if shine is less in the ball."  

Also Read: Meet your health goals during the lockdown