Bipin Dani
Mark Portus, the cricket biomechanist, who teaches the art and science of fast bowling (the name of his academy is : Pace Doctor) to bowlers in Australia believes that sweat is as effective as saliva to retain shine on the ball. The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), which governs the laws of the game, will treat the use of saliva as an unfair play.
In the pre-covid pandemic days it was widely used by the bowlers and the fielders to retain shine on the ball. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Australia, he said, “”Sweat is just as effective as a polished ball. It also avoids the other sugary stuff players use”.
Now the players will continue to use sweat for the purpose. “I think the new Non Saliva law is good, more hygenic”. “Sunscreen will provide a little help, another synthetic compound to help with shining the ball. Bowlers will need to be sweaty though”, he remarked.
Dukes ball manufacturer Dilip Jajodia, in an exclusive chat with this Reporter has explained how the use of sweat is useful to the bowlers. “The body naturally secreats oil and more so when the body is heated up during strenuous exercise + sweat, therefore when applied to the surface, this liquid soaks into the surface leather”.
“When the ball is polished on trousers, the friction created makes the sweat evaporate but the natural oil soaks into the surface cells and acts as a lubricant to help polish the leather as for example when the surface of shoes are polished”, he signed off.
