ICC Saliva Ban "Storm In Teacup": Former Australia Captain Greg Chappell

ICC had recommended banning saliva from being applied to the ball as part of its several precautionary measures taken in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Australian cricket team's former captain Greg Chappell is of the view that the saliva ban will not favour batsmen as much as people are expecting it too.

Just a few days back, ICC had recommended banning saliva from being applied to the ball as part of its several precautionary measures taken in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Using saliva to shine the ball helps bowlers to swing the ball but after ICC's recommendation, the bowlers around the world have been kind off forced to think how to get rid of the habit of using saliva.

"If they are wiping the perspiration from their forehead, there''s sunscreen there. If they're using saliva, they've probably been chewing something, so what's in that," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Chappell as saying. "I don't know if it's that big a deal. Perspiration will be the equal of saliva. I don't see the difference, to be honest," he added.

The former Indian coach also said that Australian bowlers will not be hampered with the ban on saliva and they will do just fine.

"None of them are big swingers of the ball - Starc might get some reverse swing - by and large it's the pace and bounce, I don't think we'll notice a huge difference, to be honest," Chappell said.

"You've only got to keep enough shine on the ball, and perspiration will do that. I think it's a bloody storm in a teacup myself," he added.

"I reckon the best cricket pitches in Australia have had a reasonable covering of grass. That's the best cricket to watch, the best cricket to play," Chappell said.

"When the balance between bat and ball is out of whack, it reduces the games as a contest, which reduces it as a spectacle. When the balance is slightly in favour of the ball is about the best conditions for cricket in my view," he added.