Kookaburra’s Wax applicator can be used to shine the ball in post-COVID-19 World. Australian cricket ball manufacturer Kookaburra is developing a wax applicator that allows players to shine the ball without making use of saliva or sweat which will minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Kookaburra said that its wax applicator is still in a “very early stage product development”. Players always shine one side of the leather ball and scuff up the other side to make the ball swing sideways in mid-flight and trap the batters. But now as a COVID-19 preventive measure, the rubbing spit or sweat into the ball’s surface is forbidden under the Australian Institute of Sports Guidelines released last week that set out the conditions for the game to rescue.
Kookaburra said that its wax applicator is still in, “very early-stage product development”, could provide a solution to the problem. “At Kookaburra we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation in the game which we love”, general manager David Orchard said to media.
“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 globe because of the Pandemic and the wax applicator would need prior approval from Governing bodies to be used when cricket resumes.
Kookaburra’s innovation involves using a sponge to apply small amounts of wax to the ball. Current laws forbid the use of artificial substances to alter the ball but there is a long history of ball-tampering that goes well beyond bowlers spitting on the ball and rubbing it on their clothing.
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.
