Shaun Pollock against Saliva ban

The ICC’s recommendation to ban the usage of saliva to shine cricket balls has come under criticism within the cricketing circles. Despite safety being an issue, bowlers around the world have expressed their concern over the possibility of the game becoming extremely skewed in favor of the batsmen if they go through with the move.

Now, former South African all-rounder, Shaun Pollock, has echoed the sentiments of bowlers and has voiced his support against ICC’s proposal. "I think the environment that'll end up being created is almost going to be like a bubble. People will get tested, they'll go into a two-week camp where they're just going to sit and monitor how the condition of their bodies change," he told the 'Following On Cricket Podcast’. 

"And if there are no symptoms, it doesn't really matter about shining the ball then, because you're in the bubble and no one you come into contact with will have coronavirus. So you can just get on with normal proceedings.”

The ECB had taken steps towards bio-security, medical screening/testing provision, footprint to enable social distancing, to ensure the safety of everyone involved in hosting the upcoming test series against West Indies.

"I'd presume that there'd be no crowds in place, every single environment they go into would be cleaned down and sprayed, and everything along those lines," Pollock said.

There has been a tone of apprehension across the cricketing fraternity when it comes to banning saliva. Michael Holding, the great West Indian fast bowler had recently said ”It is going to be difficult [for bowlers]. The natural inclination for any bowler, once he gets that ball in his hands is to apply saliva or apply sweat and then put it on the ball, that's natural," on the Sony Ten Pit Stop show.

"At the moment when you are talking about playing in a bio-secure environment, no spectators, everyone has to be in a two-week lockdown before they get into the venue. So that means everyone inside that venue should be free of COVID-19. Then I am not sure why you have to worry about saliva or perspiration. If you are not confident about the two-week period proving enough for you (to be) free of COVID-19, you should not be playing,” added Holding.

[Cricbuzz inputs]