How to maintain a cricket ball during the match !

Rule: You can only shine the ball using sweat or saliva (but saliva is banned in many leagues now), and your clothing.

How to do it properly

• Pick one side from the start as the “shiny side”
• Every over, rub that side on your trouser thigh or shirt
• Don’t keep changing sides — consistency creates swing
• Keep the seam upright while rubbing (helps shape)

• Best: sweat + fabric

• Don’t use water, sunscreen, oil, dirt, chewing gum (illegal)

The seam is the ball’s “steering wheel”.

Tips

• Don’t throw the ball onto the pitch
• Avoid rolling it on hard ground
• Fielders should return the ball on the bounce (not flat throws)
• Don’t let it hit concrete, boundary boards, or metal fences

• Avoid greasy hands (after snacks / energy gels)
• Don’t wipe your hands with oily sunscreen then rub the ball
• If you’re using sunscreen, keep it away from the ball side.

Moisture kills swing and ruins the leather.

What to do

• After every ball: wipe it dry
• Use towel only if your league allows it (usually yes if it’s to dry)
• If outfield is wet, keep ball away from grass as much as possible

Common mistakes:

• Keeping it in the grass too long
• Tossing it around on dry dusty ground
• Letting it scrape on synthetic wickets or matting edges

Give your team these habits:

• Don’t step on the ball
• Don’t chuck it to keeper along the ground
• Don’t “drag” it back after stopping
• Always pick it up cleanly and throw it properly

Even small things can get you penalised.