Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble thinks that a ban on using saliva on the ball due to the coronavirus outbreak may see a revival of spin bowling in Test cricket. Former spinner and Test captain of the Indian cricket team believes that spinners would play a bigger part in the longer format post the modified rules and ban of using saliva.
Kumble hopeful to see spinners taking the lead
Anil Kumble is the chairman of the ICC cricket committee which recommended the ban of using saliva to shine the ball in the wake of the deadly coronavirus worldwide. The ICC is expected to call for a temporary ban next week on the same as part of measures to resume the game. The legendary spinner hence hopes that now team might like to play two spinners in the Test cricket. “You can probably leave grass on the surface or even rough it up and have two spinners.”
He then added that this might get the spinners back in the Test cricket. He explained, “Let’s get spinners back in the game in a Test match. Because if it’s a one-day or T20 game, you’re not worried about the ball or shining of the ball.”
The advantage of cricket must be utilized
While Kumble would love to see two spinners playing in Australia, England, he said that the ground staffs would be able to create pitch conditions keeping spinners in mind. “The advantage that cricket has over other sports is that there is an element of adjustable variance in the pitch, which not many sports have.” He added, “In cricket you have the surface you can play around with and bring about a balance between bat and ball.”
Regarding restarting the game former Indian national cricket team spinner said, “All of us are yearning to start the game and not really worried about saliva or sweat or condition of the ball – we just want to play cricket.” But he is not very keen of allowing any artificial substance on the ball because that would kill the creativity of the game. “We’ve been very strict about substances that have been used on the ball,” he said.
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