WTC Final: Ball will swing even without saliva – Ishant Sharma

India’s veteran fast bowler Ishant Sharma feels the ball will swing even without use of saliva in the English conditions. The Duke ball is well known to move both ways in favourable English conditions and both India and New Zealand have potent pace batteries.

The ICC Executive Cricket Committee headed by former Indian spinner Anil Kumble had decided to ban the usage of saliva during Covid-19 era. The players are permitted to use their sweat on the ball to maintain and shine it.

Meanwhile, Ishant Sharma is going to hold the key for the Indian team in the World Test Championship final as he has all the experience under his belt.

“I think it is not that difficult. I think the ball will swing even without saliva and somebody needs to take responsibility to maintain the ball. And if the ball is maintained well in these conditions, then it becomes easier for the bowlers to take wickets in these conditions,” Ishant said while talking to Star Sports Cricket Connected.

The lanky paceman added that the right length in England is full because of the swinging conditions and the bowlers will have to adjust accordingly.

“You need to train differently and adapt to the change. In India, you get the reverse swing after some time, but in England, the length is fuller because of the swing. So, you have to adjust to the lengths. It is not easy to force that and the weather here is cooler so it takes time to acclimatize to the weather,” he added.

“And the quarantine makes it difficult because you cannot go to the ground, after IPL we were not allowed to go to the grounds and train. The way you train in the gym and the training on the ground is very different, so you have to adjust to that and it takes time,” he concluded.

Ishant has the experience of playing in the County Cricket and he will hold the key for the Indian team in the WTC final. The tall fast bowler has tremendously improved his skills and he will be lethal against the Kiwis.

The WTC Final will take place at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18.