Cricket Australia to disinfect the cricket ball to reduce coronavirus risk
Photo - Cricket Australia
|| Desk Report ||
Cricket Australia [CA] are eyeing to have permission from the International Cricket Council [ICC] to use disinfectants on cricket balls.
The ICC has already reported that the use of saliva to shine the ball will be banned, though the use of sweat might be considered under cricket’s revised guidelines, but may contravene government rules in some places.
CA sports science and sports medicine manager Alex Kountouris has said that disinfecting the ball can be considered. They will hold a talk with ICC about it.
“Disinfecting the ball is a consideration,” Alex Kountouris, said on Wednesday.
“We don’t know the impact on the ball (yet) because we haven’t tested it.
“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 crevices ... but it’s absolutely a consideration.”
Kountouris also said that bowlers will find it difficult to get used to the new rules, which has been imposed due to the health and safety of players.
“Some people are used to licking their fingers before they grab the ball, people are used to shining the ball,” he said. “It’s going to be a steep learning curve ... we’ve got a bit of work to do,” he added.
Kountouris said that there also other guidelines like in the practice there will be sharing of equipment and promoted extra cleaning of facilities, and an emphasis on hygiene.
Like most of the sports worldwide, cricket has been also halted as countries went into lockdown due to health and safety reasons amid the coronavirus situation. However, travel bans and other restrictions are gradually easing in Australia, and CA is hoping that matches can be played later this year.
