Saliva Ban Won't Make Much Of A Difference In England: Joe Root

The novel coronavirus pandemic has opened up new dimensions in cricket with the ‘saliva’ ban being one of the talking points. Veteran cricketers have been skeptical about adapting the new rule as they insist that a ball will not reverse swing without saliva. All the debates relating to the ban will be put to bed when England host the West Indies for the three-Test series.

The series will get underway from July 8 and the world will have an eye on it as it will be first where new rules will be at place. However, England captain Joe Root feels the saliva ban will not be much of an issue in the English conditions, thanks to the dukes ball.

Damage to the duke ball doesn’t really take effect till 50 overs: Joe Root

Joe Root believes if the conditions remain overcast in England it will help the ball swing without saliva. Root said that the duke ball doesn’t take the damage easily and can swing till about 50 overs in a match. He, also said that, saliva ban will not be much of an impact especially while playing in the summer.

“I don’t think it would change a huge amount in England. It depends, obviously, in terms of the conditions when it’s a little bit more overcast, there’s not been much cricket played in the squares and the outfield should be very lush,” England Test captain Joe Root said in a chat show on Sony Ten’s ‘Pit Stop’.

“Damage to the Duke ball doesn’t really take effect till about 50 overs or 40 overs if that’s the case. So it should swing consistently anyway

“So I can’t see it playing as much of having as much of an impact, especially at the start of the summer. I think, as the summer goes on and if we get some good weather the squares become a little bit more abrasive, than the reverse swing might be a natural part anyway,” he added.

The first of three-match Test series begins on July 8.