Pacers can still use sweat to move the ball – Javagal Srinath

Former Indian fast bowler Javagal Srinath feels the pacers would be able to swing the ball with the help of sweat. ICC Cricket Committee headed by Anil Kumble recently decided to ban the usage of saliva on the ball in the Covid-19 era after consulting with the medical authorities. ICC can not take the risks and saliva can be the major source for the transfer of the coronavirus.

Kumble has clarified that it is going to be an interim measure and the bowlers can use sweat on the ball. However, many players believe that there should be an alternative in place of saliva to help the bowlers in swinging the ball.

Srinath added that sweat is a good alternative for saliva and the bowlers would be able to swing the ball with the help of sweat. In fact, Srinath revealed that the fast bowlers mostly use sweat more than they saliva to shine the ball and it should not be a major issue for the bowlers.

“I think sweat is a good alternative for saliva,’’ he said. “In fact, we use more sweat than saliva, so I think it should not really matter. I think it is a habit to put your hand into your mouth and start rubbing the ball, that would have to be contained now given the fresh guidelines. Sweat was always allowed and it will have a more role to play than the saliva in the near future,’’ added Srinath as quoted by New Indian Express.

Meanwhile, Anil Kumble has stated that pitches can be made in such a way that they provide the balance between bat and ball. Thus, we might see some bowling friendly pitches in the Covid-19 era.

On the other hand, Javagal Srinath heaped praise on the current Indian pace battery. Srinath, who was mostly the lone warrior back during his heydays, believes this is the best crop of Indian fast bowlers ever.

Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been brilliant for the Indian team in the last couple of seasons. The pacers have taken giant strides in their improvement graph and they would look to continue the good show going. All the Indian fast bowlers are at the top of their fitness and they have reaped rewards for their hard work.

“We have an unbelievable pool of pacers and I am very pleased with the way they are bowling. They are doing a great job. At any phase of the Indian cricket, this is the best pool of fast bowlers.’’