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Fast bowlers have undoubtedly been the real charm in the game of cricket. Watching them take the start like a steam engine, release the leathery ball with a great pace, which swings in the air and uproots the stumps, is simply enthralling. Swing bowling has long been a key weapon and an art of the fast bowlers against the batters. Pacers apply saliva or sweat to shine one side of the ball to better utilize the conventional movement through the air. But the devastating coronavirus pandemic, which has wreaked havoc on the life structures across the globe, is set to alter the gentlemen's sport as well, especially the fast bowling, following the latest rules announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Read this betway cricket article, what cricket legends think about this new rule.

The world governing body of cricket has "temporarily" banned the fast bowlers from applying saliva to shine the ball, which helps them generate greater swing in the air. The ban, which cricket experts reckon will skew in favor of the batsmen, will be treated as implemented in the current three-match Test series between England and West Indies in the UK. All the players and officials will be tested for the coronavirus before the match and remain quarantined before the start of the series. Also, players are going to miss the traditional cheers and claps by the spectators as all the matches will now be played closed doors with strict health protocols.

Unfavorable For Pacers

With players now officially outlawed from applying saliva, sweat is now the bowler's only friend when it comes to shining the ball. Former swing bowler Damien Fleming is only half-joking when he says he can imagine the cover fielder sprinting between deliveries in the COVID-safe environment. Or players warming up more vigorously and wearing extra layers.

According to Wasim Akram, Pakistan's former fast bowler, the ban on applying saliva will "definitely" affect the pacers' ability to swing the ball."All the fast bowlers will generally take a hit from the ban but it will affect Pakistani bowlers who are used to swing with the old ball, more," Akram, who picked up 414 wickets in Test cricket and 502 wickets in one-day internationals during his long international career, that also saw him captain Pakistan to the final of the 1999 ICC World Cup. The ban, he believes, would less affect the pacers having the ability to swing the new ball. Sweat may be an alternative but only in countries where the weather is warm. What if matches are played in New Zealand, England, or other cold environments? Players would certainly feel less heat resulting in less sweat," said Akram, who currently co-hosts a sports show at a local broadcaster.

Take Away

Cricket without spectators was going to be a huge challenge for fans, and players to keep their interest, and enthusiasm going. TV coverage is all right only for those who can't make it to see live action in the arena. But something is better than nothing though. Money matters to keep the games going.

The Lancashire Cricket Board have put together an Isolation Pack to keep cricket lovers going through this difficult time.

https://foundation.lancashirecricket.co.uk/covid-19-recreational-cricket-guide/isolation-pack/

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