Karachi: Pakistan head coach and chief selector, Misbah-ul-Haq, has said that pacers will find it extremely difficult to adopt to ICC’s new guidelines for resumption of cricket and proposed a mask for the bowlers to ensure they don’t end up applying saliva on the ball “instinctively”.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recommended a host of “back to cricket” guidelines which includes a 14-day pre-match isolation training camps to ensure the teams are free from COVID-19. The ICC Cricket Committee, led by Anil Kumble, has also recommended a ban on using saliva on the ball as an interim measure the combat COVID-19 threat.
“It is not going to be easy at all (bowling without applying saliva). This is a habit players have developed since the start of their cricket. Even if a player keeps in mind the new restrictions somewhere he might act instinctively,” Misbah said in an interview to YouTube Cricket Channel ‘Cricket Baaz’. “We might have to do something to prevent this. Like making bowlers wear a mask or some other restrictive protection so that they don’t use saliva instinctively,” he added. Other guidelines include regular hand sanitising when in contact with the ball, no loo or shower breaks while training, minimising time spent in the changing room before and after a game and no handing over of personal items (cap, sunglasses, towels) to fellow teammates or the on-field umpires. Misbah said it will take time for players to get used to the new playing conditions. “It is like when you keep on driving a car your reactions become automated.” Misbah also admitted that the new rules could affect performance of the bowlers. (PTI)
