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CRICKET-VIRUS-IND-ISHANT
India’s Ishant says coronavirus will change the way bowlers operate
NEW DELHI, May 18, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The world’s top bowlers will
likely have to change the way they go about getting swing and seam as
a result of the coronavirus, Indian paceman Ishant Sharma said Monday.
Bowlers traditionally get the ball to move in the air by applying
shine to one side via sweat or saliva, but new regulatitions being
considered to outlaw the practice will change the game, he told an
online discussion.
There will be “no option” but to play by new rules when the sport
resumes, said Ishant, who plays for for Delhi Capitals in the Indian
Premier League.
“I feel cricketers will have to get used to the new normal, whatever
that is,” he said.
Last week the Australian Institute of Sport issued new guidelines
expressly forbidding rubbing spit or sweat into the ball’s surface as
a condition for competitive cricket to resume.
That prompted former Australia captain Ian Chappell to suggest some
form of ball-tampering be allowed.
“With cricket on hold, this is the ideal time to conduct the
exercise,” Chappell said.
“Using saliva and perspiration are now seen as a health hazard, so
bowlers require something to replace the traditional methods of
shining the ball.”
All international cricket — including cash-rich tournaments such as
the IPL — has been halted by the coronavirus, with no clear timetable
for a resumption.
India has extended a nationwide coronavirus lockdown until May 31,
but new rules starting Monday allow stadiums to host events without
spectators.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India said it “will not rush
into any decision” on the IPL and will wait before organising training
camps for national players.
Ishant has been in and out of the Indian team due to injuries and
inconsistent performances since his debut in 2007, but he hit form
before the virus struck.
The lanky bowler, who has claimed 412 wickets in 97 Tests and 80 in
one-day internationals, credits his 2018 season with English County
side Sussex as the reason for his improvement.
“People keep saying Ishant 2.0, which it makes it sound like I am a
robot. But the phase before 2017 was one when the pressure to perform
was a lot,” he said.
“It gave me sleepless nights, and I hardly found any joy in my
bowling. My county stint with Sussex was what changed everything.”
BSS/AFP/MRU/1829hrs