Mohammed Shami has urged the ICC to lift the saliva ban, emphasizing its importance for reverse swing in modern cricket. The ban was initially introduced in May 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and made permanent in September 2022. Shami believes allowing saliva will help bowlers compete better on batting-friendly pitches.
Shami Advocates for Reverse Swing in ODI Cricket
After India’s semi-final win against Australia, Shami spoke about the challenges of achieving reverse swing without saliva. He emphasized that the current not using saliva in cricket has made it difficult for bowlers.
“We appeal for saliva use to bring back reverse swing and make the game more competitive,” Shami stated.
He believes bowlers need better conditions to balance the game, especially with teams frequently scoring over 300 runs in ODIs.
Tim Southee Supports Saliva Reintroduction
New Zealand pacer Tim Southee backed Shami’s statement, stressing that bowlers need an advantage and hinting that re-evaluating the saliva ban in cricket could be beneficial.
“We see high scores in ODIs. Saliva can bring the ball back into play for bowlers,” Southee said on ESPNcricinfo.
He highlighted how saliva could increase movement, making bowling more effective in red-ball and white-ball cricket.
Vernon Philander Highlights the Importance of Saliva
Former South African pacer Vernon Philander believes saliva could have helped South Africa in their semi-final against New Zealand and suggested revisiting the current saliva ban in cricket.
“The ball was scuffed up. Saliva could have brought reverse swing into play,” Philander noted.
He also stated that sweat affects both sides of the ball, reducing swing, whereas saliva provides better control over ball movement.
Will the ICC Reconsider the Ban?
With bowlers facing more challenges in modern cricket, experts call for the ICC to rethink the saliva ban. Bringing it back could help balance the contest between bat and ball, ensuring a more competitive game. The debate on lifting the saliva ban in cricket continues.
