No sweat as Broad returns to fray

CRICKET: England’s players have been told not to put sweat or saliva on the ball and to relay it straight from the wicketkeeper to the bowler as part of their return-to-action plan.

Although the ICC has not banned the use of sweat in its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ECB are encouraging their Test cricketers to ‘get into good habits’ in preparation for a proposed first match of the summer versus West Indies on July 8.

It could lead to more fast bowlers wearing headbands as Stuart Broad did on his second day of isolated practice with Nottinghamshire physio James Pipe this week.

‘After the first day of bowling, James said I was touching my face too much — which is one of the ‘no-goes’ for us,’ said Broad.

‘So I wore a headband on the second day to stop the sweat dripping down and remove the temptation of touching it. We are having to re-train ourselves.’