Concerned by a spate of run fests recently, Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar has criticised the use of two new balls in ODIs, saying it is "a perfect recipe for disaster".
Mostly a reticent commentator, Tendulkar shared his point of view after watching England batsmen go on a rampage against Australia in the last two ODIs.
England posted a world record 481 for 6 against Australia in the third ODI, bettering their own record of 444 vs Pakistan. In the next ODI, England chased down a target of 312 inside 45 overs.
Tendulkar's view was endorsed by Pakistan's legendary master of reverse swing Waqar Younis.
The ICC had introduced two new balls from two ends after amending its playing rules back in October 2011.
Interestingly, BCCI was one board that protested the move questioning the diminishing role of spinners due to this new rule tweak.
However, ICC has stuck to it in its efforts to make the game batsman-friendly.
Therefore when the spinners, who are introduced in the middle overs, are handed the ball, they effectively bowl with a ball that is hardly 8 to 9 overs old.
Even by the time a spinner finishes his spell, the ball is still only 20 overs old.
Therefore, unlike earlier era, the ball doesn't get soft, which would make it difficult for the batsmen to hit through the line like they do nowadays at the back-end of the innings.
The chance of reverse swing has decreased even further with the use of two new balls.
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