'If Players Test Negative, We Can Think Of Allowing Use Of Saliva': Ajit Agarkar

“My only contention is that players who will play, will eventually be tested before the game starts. If they are found to be COVID-19 negative then I can at least consider that it will be then safe to put saliva on the ball,” Agarkar told PTI.

Ajit Agarkar

New Delhi: Former Indian fast bowler Ajit Agarkar is of the view that if a cricketer tests negative for COVID-19 before the commencement of a match, then authorities can then at least consider allowing him to apply saliva to shine the ball. Agarkar's remarks came on the back of International Cricket Council (ICC) recommendation of banning saliva from being applied to the ball as part of its several precautionary measures taken in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. “My only contention is that players who will play, will eventually be tested before the game starts. If they are found to be COVID-19 negative then I can at least consider that it will be then safe to put saliva on the ball,” Agarkar told PTI. “This is my opinion and probably someone from the medical field can give us a broader view on the subject,” he added. Agarkar, who represented India in 191 ODIs and 26 Tests, though said he understands why ICC’s Cricket and Medical committees took the decision to go with the ban. “It is very important to shine the ball and there are no two ways about it but it’s a difficult one for the committees as well to straightway after resumption say, ‘ok you can use (saliva) it’,” he said. “Obviously, they have taken a safe approach and in current situation it is understandable. But we will have to wait and see once England series is underway. It’s not going to be easy for the bowlers. But we will have to wait.”, said Agarkar ICC's revised set of guidelines will apply when England take on West Indies for a three-match Test series from July 8 and thus it will become the first international series where the new rules will be implemented. Agarkar, who took 349 wickets during his international career, said the ban on saliva will load the game in favour of batsmen even more.