Cricket Australia is set to seek International Cricket Council’s (ICC) permission to use disinfectants of match balls in a bid to reduce the health risk to players as the gentlemen’s game prepares for life post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Cricket Australia’s Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager Alex Koountouris has said that an overall set of guidelines have been prepared for players to return safely to training, however, competitive cricket is expected to be played only later in the year.

Disinfectants were used on match balls in German Bundesliga to limit the health risk of players during football matches in the country. However, football and cricket are complete opposite when it comes to usage of the ball.

With the ICC’s Cricket Committee recommending a ban on saliva for the players to shine the ball, Kountouris said that testing will soon start on whether disinfecting the ball could minimize health risk.

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"Disinfecting the ball is a consideration," Koumtoris was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

...we'd have to speak to the ICC and get permission, there's a lot of things (to consider). And whether it's effective or not. The ball being leather, it's harder to disinfect because it's got little nooks and crevasses.

"...we don't know how infected the ball is going to get and we don't know if it's going to be allowed. But it's absolutely a consideration. Everything is on the table at the moment, everything is being considered."

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Cricket Australia’s Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager further said that with England likely to play cricket before Australia, they can check the results there before implementing them in Australia.&nbsp;

"From an Australian cricket perspective, other countries are probably going to play before us," he said.

"We've got a chance to work with the ICC and other countries to see what they come up with and how it works for them. We'll obviously take whatever steps we need to do to make sure we lower the risk."

Cricket Australia is set to seek International Cricket Council’s (ICC) permission to use disinfectants of match balls in a bid to reduce the health risk to players as the gentlemen’s game prepares for life post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Cricket Australia is set to seek International Cricket Council’s (ICC) permission to use disinfectants of match balls in a bid to reduce the health risk to players as the gentlemen’s game prepares for life post-COVID-19 pandemic. Cricket Australia’s Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager Alex Koountouris has said that an overall set of guidelines have been prepared for players to return safely to training, however, competitive cricket is expected to be played only later in the year. Disinfectants were used on match balls in German Bundesliga to limit the health risk of players during football matches in the country. However, football and cricket are complete opposite when it comes to usage of the ball. With the ICC’s Cricket Committee recommending a ban on saliva for the players to shine the ball, Kountouris said that testing will soon start on whether disinfecting the ball could minimize health risk. ALSO READ: 'Confident that IPL will happen this year, BCCI working hard to find solution': Rajasthan Royals COO Jake McCrum "Disinfecting the ball is a consideration," Koumtoris was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. ...we'd have to speak to the ICC and get permission, there's a lot of things (to consider). And whether it's effective or not. The ball being leather, it's harder to disinfect because it's got little nooks and crevasses. "...we don't know how infected the ball is going to get and we don't know if it's going to be allowed. But it's absolutely a consideration. Everything is on the table at the moment, everything is being considered." ALSO READ: Denied contracts, Amir, Hasan Ali quit WhatsApp group formed by coach-cum-selector Misbah Cricket Australia’s Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager further said that with England likely to play cricket before Australia, they can check the results there before implementing them in Australia. "From an Australian cricket perspective, other countries are probably going to play before us," he said. "We've got a chance to work with the ICC and other countries to see what they come up with and how it works for them. We'll obviously take whatever steps we need to do to make sure we lower the risk."

The New norm? Cricket Australia set to seek ICC's permission to use disinfectants on match balls

Australian cricket ball manufacturer Kookaburra is working on wax applicator that will allow players to shine the ball without using saliva or sweat while minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Generally, players shine one side of the ball and roughen up the other to make the ball swing in the air in a bid to deceive the batsman with the movement. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to give another body blow with the usage of saliva and sweat is expected to be ban in the wake of the global crisis. &nbsp;

As per the guidelines released by Australian Institute of Sport, last week, rubbing of spit or sweat into the ball’s surface is banned in one of the conditions for the gentlemen’s game to resume.

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Kookaburra said the wax applicator could provide a solution but is in “very early-stage product development.”

“At Kookaburra we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation in the game we love,” general manager David Orchard told AFP.

“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic we are always looking for solutions to allow our game to be played safely by all cricketing communities around the world,” he said.

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Cricket, like other sports, is suspended around the world due to the pandemic and the wax applicator would need approval from governing bodies before the resumption of play.

Kookaburra’s plan involves using a sponge to apply wax to the ball and then shine it as per the requirement of the bowler or the fielding team.

The present law strictly prohibits the use of artificial substances to change the condition of the ball and is regarded as a taboo in the world of cricket. Over the years, bowlers and fielders have been accused of using jelly, resin, lozenges, bottle tops, grit and sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball to their advantage.&nbsp;

Australian cricket ball manufacturer Kookaburra is working on wax applicator that will allow players to shine the ball without using saliva or sweat while minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Australian cricket ball manufacturer Kookaburra is working on wax applicator that will allow players to shine the ball without using saliva or sweat while minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Generally, players shine one side of the ball and roughen up the other to make the ball swing in the air in a bid to deceive the batsman with the movement. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to give another body blow with the usage of saliva and sweat is expected to be ban in the wake of the global crisis. As per the guidelines released by Australian Institute of Sport, last week, rubbing of spit or sweat into the ball’s surface is banned in one of the conditions for the gentlemen’s game to resume. ALSO READ: 'If IPL doesn't happen for first time in 13 years...' - Harbhajan Singh throws his weight on future of showpiece tournament Kookaburra said the wax applicator could provide a solution but is in “very early-stage product development.” “At Kookaburra we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation in the game we love,” general manager David Orchard told AFP. “As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic we are always looking for solutions to allow our game to be played safely by all cricketing communities around the world,” he said. ALSO READ: ECB terminates contracts of players signed up for ‘The Hundred’ Cricket, like other sports, is suspended around the world due to the pandemic and the wax applicator would need approval from governing bodies before the resumption of play. Kookaburra’s plan involves using a sponge to apply wax to the ball and then shine it as per the requirement of the bowler or the fielding team. The present law strictly prohibits the use of artificial substances to change the condition of the ball and is regarded as a taboo in the world of cricket. Over the years, bowlers and fielders have been accused of using jelly, resin, lozenges, bottle tops, grit and sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball to their advantage.

Solution for saliva conundrum? Kookaburra’s wax applicator to allow bowlers shine ball artificially

WG Grace and Don Bradman may be spinning in their graves at the news an English cricket club have switched to using a vegan ball from the traditional leather one.

Earley Cricket Club in Reading a town 40 miles (64 kilometres) west of London had already introduced a vegan tea for their players.

That was down to their founder and chairman Gary Shacklady who found most cricket club teas consisted of ham sandwiches, not much use to him when he became a vegan.

Now they have gone the full hog and introduced a vegan cricket ball - a synthetic animal products-free one covered in rubber instead of leather. &nbsp;

"It does behave like a leather cricket ball, but it bounces more and it's more difficult to grip," Shacklady told the Daily Mail.

"But we're enthused by it and we're hopeful of finding a better version."

Shacklady, who founded the club 12 years ago and at 33 is the youngest cricket club chairman in England, is hoping other clubs in their Berkshire Cricket League will follow their lead.

The school teacher says there was not much opposition when he proposed switching the tea to a vegan menu two years ago.

Ham and beef sandwiches have been replaced by the likes of Moroccan tagine, lasagne and meat-free spaghetti Bolognese.

"The teas have been well received as our players understand and support the reasoning behind the decision," said Shacklady, who set up the club 12 years ago.

"When other teams come to us, they pile their plates high.

"And when they eat the food, nobody complains.

"Although you usually get one middle-aged white man who is horrified - it's fine, he doesn’t have to eat it. But the point is that everyone can."

WG Grace and Don Bradman may be spinning in their graves at the news an English cricket club have switched to using a vegan ball from the traditional leather one.

WG Grace and Don Bradman may be spinning in their graves at the news an English cricket club have switched to using a vegan ball from the traditional leather one. Earley Cricket Club in Reading a town 40 miles (64 kilometres) west of London had already introduced a vegan tea for their players. That was down to their founder and chairman Gary Shacklady who found most cricket club teas consisted of ham sandwiches, not much use to him when he became a vegan. Now they have gone the full hog and introduced a vegan cricket ball - a synthetic animal products-free one covered in rubber instead of leather. "It does behave like a leather cricket ball, but it bounces more and it's more difficult to grip," Shacklady told the Daily Mail. "But we're enthused by it and we're hopeful of finding a better version." Shacklady, who founded the club 12 years ago and at 33 is the youngest cricket club chairman in England, is hoping other clubs in their Berkshire Cricket League will follow their lead. The school teacher says there was not much opposition when he proposed switching the tea to a vegan menu two years ago. Ham and beef sandwiches have been replaced by the likes of Moroccan tagine, lasagne and meat-free spaghetti Bolognese. "The teas have been well received as our players understand and support the reasoning behind the decision," said Shacklady, who set up the club 12 years ago. "When other teams come to us, they pile their plates high. "And when they eat the food, nobody complains. "Although you usually get one middle-aged white man who is horrified - it's fine, he doesn’t have to eat it. But the point is that everyone can."

Going for a spin? Cricket club introduces vegan ball

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