Bowlers should be able to swing ball without saliva, says owner of Dukes
The owner of the ball manufacturer Dukes says bowlers should still be able to produce swing in England this summer, despite the imminent ban on using saliva.
After recommendations from the International Cricket Council’s medical advisory committee it seems certain a temporary restriction will be placed on players using the traditional method of licking their fingers to help shine the ball when the sport resumes.
The Australia pace bowler Mitchell Starc has warned children may not want to become bowlers if a lack of movement through the air made life for batsmen too easy but Chris Woakes suggested last week the swing-friendly Dukes could be a saving grace for pacemen in England.
Dilip Jajodia, the owner of Dukes, has offered his reassurance. “Woakes is absolutely correct, I don’t see swing being a big problem in England,” he said. “You have to have a balance between bat and ball otherwise the game is boring, we know that. But it’s not just the shiny surface or the rough side that causes swing, it’s the integrity of the ball.
“You don’t have to worry because with a ball constructed like ours you’ve got a good shape, a strong seam that acts as a rudder through the air and, because it is hand-stitched, it stays harder for longer.
“They are not banning the use of sweat, so you run your hand over your forehead and, with the nature of the leather, a rigorous polish should get the grease moving enough to give a good shine.”
The Australian manufacturer
Kookaburra has developed a wax applicator in an attempt to offer a shortterm boost to bowlers but Jajodia had a simple word of advice for any seamers looking for extra help. “These days the kits are polyester but when you want to materials to work for each other they both need to be natural, like the leather of the ball. Think of the great Malcolm Marshall or Angus Fraser, they always had a cotton towel tucked in to their trousers. This summer, more than any other, that is what people should be using.”
The sporting shutdown came at a dreadful time for what is essentially a seasonal trade but Jajodia remains confident a business that dates back to the 18th century is ready to ride this difficult period. “If next year they still aren’t allowing amateur sport then we really would be up the Khyber Pass. There would have to be a subsidy from somewhere otherwise we won’t be around anymore,” he said.
“But we have a strong balance sheet, no borrowings and with our reputation I’m confident we will not need to resort to any outside assistance.”