Pat Cummins Wants “Artificial Substance” To Shine The Ball Along With Sweat

The ICC Cricket Committee is planning to prohibit the use of saliva to shine the ball. However, the committee will continue to allow the use of sweat. Even though this rule is still in the drafts, there are players who are raising concerns. Pat Cummins is one such player who is being vocal about his opinion regarding this probable rule.

Bowlers use saliva to shine one side of the ball. This alters the aerodynamics which helps the ball’s movement as it moves towards the batsman.

Pat Cummins believes an alternative to saliva must be put in place other than sweat

According to Cummins, if the ICC does choose to ban saliva, then they must come with an artificial substance which will pose as a good replacement. He agrees that sweat is a good option but then another substitute must be put in place.

“Sweat`s not bad, but I think we need something more than that, ideally. Whatever that is, wax or I don`t know what.”

Pat Cummins believes that if science is dictating that using saliva will contribute to the risk factor, then other options are mandatory.

“If that`s what that science is telling us, that it`s high risk using saliva … as long as we`re keeping other options open, whether that`s sweat or something artificial.”

Related: “I Find The ICC’s ‘No Saliva-Yes Sweat’ Decision Strange” – Matthew Hayden

Josh Hazlewood raises concerns about how the committee plans to monitor the ban

Josh Hazlewood is of the opinion that if the ban is put in place, then it’ll be for everyone. Therefore, everyone will be playing the same game of cricket.

“I`d like saliva to be used obviously but if that`s what they`ve put forward (a ban), I guess everyone is playing the same game.”

However, he also believes that a bowler’s nature is to touch up the ball. Hence, it will be difficult to not give the ball an adjustment when it comes back to the bowler. As a result, monitoring this ban might become an obstacle.

“Once it comes back to you as a bowler, it`s second nature to just give it a little touch up if you see something, and that`s going to be hard to stop to be honest. And it`s a tough thing to monitor for sure.”