Shine with no spit or sweat

Australian cricket-ball manufacturer Kookaburra is developing a wax applicator that enables players to shine the ball without using saliva or sweat, minimising the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Players often shine one side of a ball and scuff the other to make it swing sideways in midflight and deceive the batter.

But rubbing spit or sweat on the ball’s surface is expressly forbidden under Australian Institute of Sport guidelines released last week that set out the conditions for the game to resume.

Kookaburra said its wax applicator, while still in “early stage product development ” , could provide a solution.

“At Kookaburra we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation in the game we love,” general manager David Orchard said.

“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.

Cricket is suspended around the world because of the pandemic, and the wax applicator would need approval from governing bodies to be used when play resumes.

Kookaburra’s innovation involves using a sponge to apply small quantities of wax to the ball. Rules today forbid the use of artificial substances to alter the ball, but there is a long history of tampering.

Test players have been accused of using lozenges, petroleum jelly and resin to shine the ball, and also scuffing it with bottle tops, trouser zippers and grit. /