India pacer Ishant Sharma who is likely to be a part of the playing XI for the final of the inaugural World Test Championship against New Zealand has said that the ball will swing even without saliva.
“I think the ball will swing even without saliva and somebody needs to take responsibility to maintain the ball,” Sharma said on Star Sports show ‘Cricket Connected’.
The right-arm fast bowler further said that the bowling unit would fetch wickets if the ball is maintained well. “And if the ball is maintained well in these conditions, then it becomes easier for the bowlers to take wickets in these conditions,” he added.
Sharma also talked about the difference in conditions in England and how the bowlers have to adjust their lengths accordingly.
“You need to train differently and adapt to the change. In India, you get the reverse swing after some time, but in England, the length is fuller because of the swing,” he said.
“So, you have to adjust to the lengths. It is not easy to force that and the weather here is cooler so it takes time to acclimatize to the weather,” Sharma added.
The WTC final will be played in Southampton from June 18. Earlier in the day, New Zealand had announced their 15-man squad for the WTC final. The selectors have included Ajaz Patel as the specialist spinner over Mitchell Santner who played in the first Test match against England.
Opening batsman Devon Conway who scored a double-century in his debut game at Lord’s against England has also made it into the side.