Ban on saliva may upset balance between bat and ball in Test cricket, warns Taylor
PTI, Jun 14, 2020, 2:08 PM IST
Melbourne: Former Australia captain Mark Taylor on Sunday warned that ban on the usage of saliva, to combat the COVID-19 threat, runs the risk of upsetting the balance between bat and ball in Test cricket.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned the use of saliva on the ball as an interim health safety measure in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic a move that has raised concerns about the game becoming even more batsmen friendly.
“I think it is a bit of a concern because I like, particularly in Test matches, to see the ball slightly dominate the bat, it is a much better game when Test cricket is played that way,” Taylor told ‘Channel 9’.
The 55-year-old former opener is concerned about the fact that no saliva means a delivery would become predictable for a batsman.
“My concern will be that if the players can’t shine the ball and the ball does get very straight and very predictable we are going to see more and more runs, more and more high scores in Test match cricket,” Taylor said.
“And that is not the best Test match cricket. Test cricket is much better when the score is around 300,” he added.
The ICC has also introduced the system of issuing two warnings per innings to players found violating the saliva ban. Any further violation will result in a five-run penalty.
“They have said try and be lenient which I’m sure they will be but eventually one umpire is going to stick his neck out and say ‘that’s a five-run penalty’,” Taylor said.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
BGT Day 1: Bumrah leads India’s spectacular bowling comeback after batting no-show
India crawl to 51 for 4 after losing top-order
Mohammed Shami ridicules Sanjay Manjrekar over comments on reduced IPL value
There’s potential for disruption in India camp with Rohit coming back in Adelaide: Ponting
We are not carrying baggage from New Zealand series: Bumrah
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Karnataka bypolls: Outcome crucial for both ruling and oppn camps
Belagavi: Was youth killed for an iPhone? Police launch intensive probe
K’taka Health Minister calls for collaborative efforts to combat Antimicrobial Resistance
Public Alert: Cyber fraudsters impersonating traffic police to demand fines
Court acquits MLA Bachchu Kadu in 2011 Mantralaya clerk slapping case
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.