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Sports, Cricket, in particular, will never be the same

 
Casper 2020-04-24 10:15:23 

This novel coronavirus is turning to out to be a millennia-changing agent and, sports in general, and cricket, in particular, will be able to escape its determinant role.

It would seem quite obvious, but when someone like Sachin Tendulkar makes such an observation, people would straighten up and take notice.

From shining the ball to celebrating a dismissal - certain things may never be the same again when cricket restarts after the novel coronavirus pandemic, Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar told Reuters.


Cricketers use the age-old method of shining one side of the cricket ball with a combination of saliva and sweat, ostensibly to help bowlers generate more swing in the air.

But with increased focus on social distancing and personal hygiene to contain the spread of the virus, the sport stares at a changing landscape.

“Shining the ball will change I think,” Tendulkar, who will turn 47 on Friday, told Reuters in a telephone interview. “Everyone will be conscious of maintaining social distancing, giving high-fives to each other and hugging after celebrating the fall of a wicket.


As for shining a cricket ball with a little bit of spit, I never understood the hygiene of such an action: ball going from hand to hand, to bat, racing across a well trodden field before returning to bowler for a final lick before delivery.

But, just not cricket, a new normal will take place in many other sports, like football, basketball and tennis. Who will continue to seek the souvenir of a sweat-soaked towel from a tennis player.