ZCZC
BSP-08
CRICKET-IND-RSA-HEALTH-VIRUS
Coronavirus may take shine off Indian cricket’s saliva swing tactics
DHARAMSALA, India, March 11, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Using saliva to shine the
cricket ball could be banned for Indian players in the one-day series clash
against South Africa over coronavirus concerns, paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar
said Wednesday.
India has insisted the three matches against South Africa will go ahead
despite growing fears over the virus. The number of cases in India has
doubled to 60 in four days.
The disease can be spread when small droplets containing it land on
objects that are then touched by a person, who then touches their eyes, nose
or mouth, according to the World Health Organization.
Kumar said the Indian cricket team consulted doctors on Wednesday about
whether to use saliva, which bowlers rub on one side of the leather ball to
help it swing.
A decision will be taken at a team meeting ahead of the first game in
Dharamsala on Thursday, he said.
“I can’t say right now we will not use saliva because if we don’t use
saliva then how will we shine the ball?” Kumar told reporters. “Then we will
get hit and you people will say you are not bowling well.”
Kumar said bowlers would follow the doctors’ orders: “Whatever instruction
we get or whatever is the best option we will do.”
They have already been told to stay away from fans.
South Africa coach Mark Boucher has said his players should avoid
handshakes at matches because of the virus, which has killed more than 4,000
people worldwide.
Cricket South Africa approved the India tour after medical and security
experts gave it the green light.
Team captain Quinton De Kock said both teams had been tested and were
healthy, adding South Africa would continue to use saliva.
“We will still shine the ball. Our team doctors and management have made
sure we are all fit and don’t have coronavirus. We will still attend to that
and keep the ball shining,” he told reporters.
Kumar insisted all players will take every precaution to tackle the
coronavirus, but refused to speculate on whether the Indian Premier League
Twenty20 tournament should start on March 29.
“You cannot say anything right now because it (the virus) is taking a
dangerous situation in India,” said Kumar.
The second international is in Lucknow on Sunday and the third in Kolkata
on March 18.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1700HRS