The ICC have outlawed the use of saliva on the ball as part of a series of short-term changes to playing conditions
Seam bowlers could become "robots" under the ICC's temporary measures to counter the spread of Covid-19, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has warned.
The international governing body have outlawed the use of saliva on the ball as part of a series of short-term changes to playing conditions.
And Akram is concerned that the resultant lack of movement through the air will reduce the impact of previously crucial players.
"It will make bowlers robots, coming and bowling without swing," Akram told AFP.
"It's a quizzical situation for me as I grew up using saliva to shine the ball and to swing it," he added.
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"I am all for precautions in these tough times, so bowlers have to wait for the ball to get old and rough for them to get swing.
"Sweat is just something of an add-on, a top-up. Too much use of sweat will leave the cricket ball too wet."
The new measures will be practically applied for the first time during England's three-Test series against West Indies, which is due to begin in Southampton on July 8.
Akram said: "I believe that they will need to find a reasonable solution. Artificial substances like vaseline could be used to swing the ball but how much of it?
"Let's see, we have this England versus the West Indies series to judge how it goes, because I have never experienced this thing."
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