Holder hopes saliva ban doesn't force teams to take desperate measures

Jason Holder is preparing for West Indies' tour of England in July

West Indies Test captain Jason Holder feared that saliva ban on the ball will not force teams to take desperate measures like using sandpaper and said that they will just have to adapt to the new rules.
The ICC Cricket Committee recommended changes to the regulations to mitigate the risks posed by the coronavirus and protect the safety of players and match officials.
The Committee, chaired by former India captain and leg spinner Anil Kumble and in consultation with the Medical Advisory Committee discussed the elevated risk of the transmission of the virus through saliva, and unanimously agreed to recommend that the use of saliva to polish the ball be prohibited.
The Committee also noted the medical advice that it is highly unlikely that the virus can be transmitted through sweat and saw no need to prohibit the use of sweat to polish the ball whilst recommending that enhanced hygiene measures are implemented on and around the playing field.
"Hopefully, it doesn't force teams to bring out sandpaper," Holder said in a webinar as part of It's Just Cricket Academy's free online training programme.
"I think it is something that we all have to just trial out to see how it goes. Sitting here, I can't elaborate more on it. I think, if we do get perspiration on it, at least there is some moisture you can create to get shine on your ball but if not, I heard that Kookaburra were in production in making this wax and they were quite keen on trying it.
"But again, I would only know how that reacts when you actually do use it. But hopefully, like I said before, I hope it doesn't force teams to go to desperate measures," he added.
The all-rounder, who has played 40 Tests, 115 ODIs and 17 T20Is, has just got off the blocks in preparing for West Indies' tour of England in July.
Some members of the team returned to training at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, in small groups, earlier in the week.
"We've obviously been in dialogue with the ECB. Nothing has been confirmed as yet. I think in order for this to be rolled out, we have got to be 100 percent certain that our safety comes first and the ECB puts as many protocols in place so that we can ensure that this virus doesn't get into what would be like a bubble. But, yeah, we haven't got any confirmation. If we do get the series go-ahead, we will have to definitely be very, very cautious, ensure our safety and it would be done behind closed doors," felt Holder.
West Indies are slated to play three Tests during the tour, in a bio-secure environment.
Meanwhile, Holder also spoke about the Indian Test team and revealed the best way to negate their threat is to have patience and stick to the basics.
"India is a very good team and they are a very good team based on the fact that they have got reliable players in terms of their batting and bowling," said Holder.
"So, for me, it goes back down to sticking to the basics. It's a tricky thing but patience has to come into the fore, bide your time, wear them down," he added.
james@khaleejtimes.com