Southampton: Cricket Australia (CA) has restricted its players from using sweat from the head, face and neck to shine the ball. The players have been asked to implement the new rule during the upcoming limited overs tour of England. Cricket Australia has made the new rule in a bid to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Earlier the International Cricket Council (ICC) had banned the use of saliva on the ball. It was an interim health safety measure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a player is still permitted to use sweat from anywhere on the body and rub it on the ball. Now Cricket Australia has clamped down on it.
The CA is taking a cautious approach to reduce any risk of transmission of the novel coronavirus. Based on medical advice the board has asked its players to not use sweat from near the mouth or nose. This is according to a report in ‘cricket.com.au’.
This leaves players with option of using sweat from either their stomach or back, during the white-ball series against England. The series starts September 4 in Southampton.
Australia’s premier pacer Mitchell Starc feels the regulation will not have much effect.
“It’s probably not something that’s too relevant in white-ball cricket. Once that new ball starts to go, you’re trying to keep it dry anyway. It’s more of a question for red-ball cricket,” Starc said. “No doubt we’ll find out what it’s like in these practice games. If we need to revisit some planning, I’m sure we’ll have a chat before the series gets underway,” he added.
England players were seen using sweat from their backs or forehead during the series against West Indies and Pakistan. “I think we saw a bit during that England (Test) series. Jofra (Archer) using some sweat off his back and that sort of thing,” Starc pointed out.
Starc, who is also in Australia’s Test side, said if things don’t change similar restrictions will remain in place during the team’s home season. “If the world stays as it is for a little while, those restrictions will still be there. That saliva one will probably be around for a lot longer anyway,” Starc informed.
