How to shine a cricket ball
Cricket is more than a game; it’s an art that requires skills, strategy, and proper technique. One such technique crucial to every bowler’s arsenal in cricketing parlance is the ability to shine a cricket ball. This simple act plays a significant role in determining the movement and performance of the ball when it pitches.
Understanding the Significance
Why do cricketers shine cricket balls? Ball-shining is integral to manipulating how the ball will behave after pitching. When one side of a cricket ball is well-maintained and shiny while the other ages naturally, this creates an aerodynamic disproportion known as ‘swing’. The swing can trick batters into misjudging the direction of the ball – making shining essential to bowling tactics.
But without further ado, let’s delve deep into the process itself.
Using Saliva or Sweat
Traditionally, players used saliva or sweat to shine their cricket balls. By rubbing these natural fluids onto one hemisphere of the leathery surface over several overs, they created that desirable lustrous panache. However, due to recent health situations worldwide, using saliva has been forbidden by International Cricket Council (ICC) – thus shifting focus primarily towards sweat for maintaining shine.
The Shining Process
The first step in shining a cricket ball is choosing which side you want to keep shiny. Generally speaking, it should be the non-damaged side or least scuffed side after some gameplay.
Buffing The Ball Effectively
Once your choice for polished face is set, proceed by lightly buffing that half with your trouser leg – typically around the thigh area where fabric offers suitable friction without risking damage. Remember always to use straight up-and-down strokes against fabric grain – circling could risk unwanted roughening instead of desired polish.
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Maintaining Consistency
Revitalizing and maintaining the cricket ball’s shine is a continuous process. Every time this ball comes back to you, utilize each opportunity for quick polish while limiting any accidental hits against rough surfaces.
Team Effort
Bear in mind that taking care of a cricket ball isn’t an individual’s responsibility but a collective team endeavor instead. All fielders should respect the shiner’s decision on which side to maintain. Also, they must act conscientiously during throw-ins or general handling to not accidentally damage the maintained segment.
The Don’ts of Shining The Ball
While knowing how to shine the ball correctly is important, it’s equally important to comprehend what not to do when maintaining your nifty sphere.
Avoid Synthetic Substances
Always steer clear from synthetic substances such as lip balm, hair gel, vaseline or sunblock etc., intended towards altering ball conditions artificially – actions gravely considered ‘ball tampering’, leading to severe penalties.
No Abrasives Usage
Also avoid scrape scratches with fingernails, bottle caps/can tops or even intentionally throwing into concrete/gravelly patches – anything causing unnatural abrasions will equal unsportsmanlike behaviour – breaching spirit of cricket game rules universally.
Conclusion:
Mastering the art of shining a cricket ball involves practice coupled with patience. It can make a significant impact on match outcome through subtle off-the-pitch swings outfoxing opponents skillfully. Despite recent stipulations allowing only sweat amid Covid-19 concerns, cricketers worldwide continue persevering traditions within legal frameworks.
And remember – always play fair & follow regulations! Cricket is celebrated less for famous victories or mercurial talents marking its century-old journey; more so for its sacrosanct emphasis on sportsmanship values transcending boundaries. May the sport continue enlightening us with outstanding deliveries helped alongside a well-polished cricket ball!
