KOLKATA: More than the re-introduction of saliva use on cricket balls, IPL players and coaches here on Friday welcomed the decision to use two new balls, one of them in the second innings of an evening game after the 11th over, to negate the dew factor.
India’s new spin sensation Varun Chakravarthy said, “I’m looking forward to the ball-change issue more than the saliva part. Changing the ball might help the spinners. Mostly it is the spinners who bowl the 11th, 12th or 13th overs. It will help them get more control over their deliveries, especially with a drier ball (because of dew). That should help their trade.”
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RCB coach Andy Flower also welcomed the introduction of two new balls.
“We’re always looking for a fair balance between bat and ball. In conditions where dew does affect games significantly, that’s a really good rule change. It’s about time,” he said, adding: “I’ve always wondered why there was this reticence on the umpire’s part to change the ball and make it an even and fair contest. You definitely see bat swings becoming a little more baseball-like now. I hope that some of the rule changes will balance out a little more bowling effectiveness as well, so that we can keep that balance in the game.”
Also on Friday, New Zealand batting star Kane Williamson said in an interaction that he was sceptical about using saliva to bring any noticeable changes to the white ball, but hoped that it would give some breathing space to bowlers.
“Over my time in white-ball cricket, it’s always been quite tough to shine the white ball. Whether it (saliva ban removal) has a large impact or not, we’ll find out soon.
“I suppose any sort of help in shining might add some benefit. If it does swing, it really does bring the bowlers into the game a lot more.”
(With inputs from agencies)
