Tendulkar suggests use of new ball every 45-50 overs

[Nergal]

 

 

Tendulkar has suggested using a new ball "after every 45-50 or 55 overs" in Test cricket © AFP

Ever since the Anil Kumble-led cricket committee proposed banning the tradition of applying saliva on the ball, many current and former cricketers have voiced their opinions vociferously. However, the ICC, on Tuesday (June 9) went ahead and announced a slew of ratifications including the saliva-ban.

Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar and Brett Lee expressed their concerns too against the newly imposed regulation. In a virtual chat with Lee on the 100 MB app, Tendulkar explained the importance of applying saliva on the ball and drew similarities of Tests with day/night one dayers whilst also mentioning the various challenges in the limited-overs format.

"So, here in Test cricket, if you are not going to allow saliva, and sometimes you won't sweat as much depending on the climate where you are playing, it could be a lot like day/night one dayers. In ODI cricket, bowling when conditions are dry in day night matches and bowling second when there is a lot of dew on the ground...so on paper the conditions and the rules are exactly the same, but on field conditions are totally different, it's like chalk and cheese," said Tendulkar.

Brett Lee was on the same page too, and endorsed the proposal of using artificial substances like wax while he also appealed to the law-makers to show some "leniency" for the players.

"Maybe try a new substance that they can potentially use that everyone agrees on, that the batsmen are happy with, that the bowlers are happy with. I like the idea of having a tub of wax...it's a very good idea.

There has to be a lot of leniency, maybe two-three warnings per player because I can guarantee you, if the players are told they can't do it, they won't do it on purpose but I think it will happen through natural instinct," Lee reckoned.

Tendulkar has suggested changes to the game in the past, including the two innings per side concept in ODIs. This time, he has suggested using a new ball "after every 45-50 or 55 overs" in Test cricket so that it can aid the bowlers.

"In Test cricket, suddenly if the surfaces are not good, the standard of playing, I feel, drops down. And above all the game slows down because the batters know 'if I don't play a stupid shot here, no one can get me' out and the bowler knows, 'on this surface I have to be patient'.

"But why not then to get the game moving, have a new ball after every 45-50 or 55 overs because in ODI cricket we have to play only 50 overs, and you have two new balls there, so literally 25 overs, so that's it," Tendulkar suggested.

 

[hawasabc]

thats a great suggestion but that will take away the reverse swing option

ball should reverse after 60 overs