India’s top fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will not miss the hug or lack of high-five on the field but he will definitely feel the lack of use of saliva on the ball and believes that an alternative should be provided.
The ICC Cricket Committee, headed by former India captain Anil Kumble, has suggested a ban on the use of saliva on the ball when cricket will restart following the Corona virus epidemic. The committee also did not allow the use of artificial material on the ball.
The new rule will create very difficult conditions for bowlers. Like many former and current fast bowlers, Bumrah also believes that there should be an alternative to saliva. He said in an interview with Ian Bishop and Shaun Pollock in the ICC video series ‘Inside Out’, “I am not one of those who hugs or high-fives on the field so I won’t miss it but the use of saliva will be missed.”
Bumrah said, “I don’t know what the guidelines will be when the game will restart but I believe there should be an alternative. “He said, “Not using saliva on the ball will cause a lot of difficulty for the bowlers. The grounds are getting smaller and the wickets are also getting flat. We need an option to maintain the brightness of the ball so that swing or reverse swing can be found.’