The Big Debate: Is Cricket Still Fair to Bowlers?
Cricket is batting versus bowling. Now, swinging the ball is hard. Batting has been more effective recently.
This is because using saliva to shine the ball is now banned. An Indian bowler, Mohammed Shami, wants the rule changed back. Should cricket leaders rethink the ban? Bringing back saliva could help bowlers again.
Why Did the ICC Ban Saliva in the First Place?
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Bowlers used spit to shine balls. COVID-19 made that unsafe. Now, bowlers can’t use spit. This keeps everyone healthy. This ban was temporary at first. In 2022, the ICC said bowlers can’t use saliva on the ball anymore. This rule is now permanent. Bowlers must find new ways to make the ball swing without saliva. It’s a change for the sport!
Mohammed Shami’s Call: “Bring Back Reverse Swing!”
Shami talked about his ban after India’s exciting win against Australia. He expressed worry and wanted it addressed.
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Shami wants to use saliva on the ball for reverse swing in cricket. Saliva helps the ball swing, making the game exciting. But, using saliva isn’t allowed now. Shami hopes they can change the rule. He wants reverse swing back to make the game more fun to watch.
Shami thinks cricket favors hitters too much. Flat fields make it hard for pitchers to do well. He wants more balance in the game.
Former Players Support Shami’s Stand
Shami isn’t alone in his appeal. Two former international fast bowlers, Vernon Philander and Tim Southee, also believe that the ban has negatively affected bowlers.
New Zealand pacer Tim Southee stated:
“That was a rule brought in because of Covid, but as a bowler, you want to have some advantage. We see scores of 362 and even beyond 300 regularly in ODIs. If saliva can help bowlers get movement, I don’t see why the ICC can’t reconsider.”
Similarly, Philander believes the rule hurt South Africa in their Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand. Their bowlers struggled as New Zealand piled up 362 runs.
The Science Behind Reverse Swing: Why Is It Important?
Reverse swing in cricket is when a ball moves unexpectedly. One side is rough, the other smooth. This difference makes the air flow differently. The ball then curves in the air. This makes it tricky for players to hit because it’s harder to guess where it’s going.
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Traditionally, Players used spit to shine one side of the ball. This made one side smooth. The other side got rough by itself. This helped the ball curve!
Since the ban, bowlers have tried to use sweat as an alternative. However, according to Philander, sweat isn’t as effective.
“With the South African team, we always tried to keep the ball as dry as possible. The problem with sweat is that it wets both sides of the ball. Saliva gives better control over shining one side,” he explained.
White Ball vs. Red Ball: Which Is Affected More?
While the ban has impacted both formats of cricket, Southee believes it has hurt Test matches even more.
“In white-ball cricket, the ball swings only for a few overs. But in Test matches, reverse swing plays a big role, especially on flat wickets. Sweat is not always available in cooler conditions, but saliva can be used anywhere,” Southee pointed out.
Philander thinks it’s easier for batters now. He says that the ball doesn’t swing in reverse anymore, mostly in shorter cricket games like ODIs and T20s. The ball moves predictably, so hitting it is now simple to do.
Is Cricket Becoming Too Easy for Batsmen?
Cricket has changed! Batsmen are now scoring big in all game types. Scores over 350 in ODIs and 200 in T20s happen often. This makes it harder for bowlers. They don’t have as many ways to stop strong hitters. It’s a batsman’s game now, making bowling a bigger challenge than ever before.
“Batters are already dominating the game with smaller boundaries, powerplays, and heavier bats,” Philander said. “If reverse swing is taken away, how will bowlers fight back?”
Should the ICC Rethink Its Decision?
The saliva ban in cricket is causing problems. Bowlers and experts are unhappy. The ICC made the rule during Covid-19. Now, many restrictions are gone. Is it time to change the rule? Some think it’s worth looking at again. Maybe the ban isn’t needed anymore. The ICC should think about it.
The ICC hasn’t said they’ll lift the ban yet. But, many cricketers and experts want them to. They are putting pressure on the ICC to change their mind. The debate is ongoing, and the future is uncertain.
What Do Fans Think?
While some argue that the ban should stay for hygiene reasons, others feel that cricket should not be a one-sided game. Should the ICC bring back saliva to balance the competition? Or should bowlers find new ways to adapt? The discussion is heating up, and only time will tell what the future holds for cricket’s most controversial rule change.
What’s your take? Should saliva be allowed again to shine the ball, or should cricket continue without it?
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