PAK ENG Test Series: The COVID-19 outbreak led to a modification in Test cricket rules that forbade the use of saliva. After a brief ban, the conventional technique of shining the red ball for reverse swinging was permanently abandoned out of concern for transmission. Since the rule change, sweat has been the only practical method for coating the ball. But on Day 3 of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, the former captain of England Joe Root devised a novel method for shining the ball. Follow PAK vs ENG Test Series LIVE on InsideSport.IN
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PAK ENG Test Series: Watch Joe Root’s unique way to shine the BALL, uses Jack Leach’s bald HEAD during Rawalpindi TEST: Check OUT
On the third day of the dreary Test in Rawalpindi, ex-England captain Joe Root brought some humour with his distinctive method of shining the ball.
Root was observed polishing the ball on Jack Leach’s bald head in an effort to get the reverse swing going.
The only option for players to shine the ball now that saliva use has been outlawed by the ICC is through their sweat.
When Root was seen putting the ball on Leach’s bald head to get some moisture on the ball, the commentary team, who at the time included former England captain Nasser Hussain, erupted into laughter.
“Absolutely ingenious!”
Root finds a unique way of shining the ball with the help of Leach 🤝😅#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/mYkmfI0lhK
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 3, 2022
After rookie Will Jacks broke the 225-run opening stand between Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique, Leach was England’s best bowler for the day. Prior to getting Azhar Ali’s wicket, Leach quickly got rid of left-handed Imam, and the hosts lost three wickets in quick succession during the morning session of Day 3.
On the first three days of the Test, seven batters—four from England and three from Pakistan—have already scored hundreds. The Rawalpindi deck has been referred to as a remnant of “the dark ages” by even the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ramiz Raja.
