Custom Bats Cricket Forum

General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: Cublingtoncc on January 27, 2017, 08:35:37 AM

Title: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Cublingtoncc on January 27, 2017, 08:35:37 AM
Morning was just wondering what's the best way to shine a ball

Saw at nets this week someone throw a bottle of water over a ball and shining it on the net tops and thought seriously ???

What's the best way ???
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Blazer on January 27, 2017, 08:41:04 AM
Like you would shine shoes.
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Cublingtoncc on January 27, 2017, 08:46:03 AM
Hahah.

I go for the old school rub untill shiny aha

This kid just threw a whole bottle of water over it
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: ijmorgan on January 27, 2017, 08:50:42 AM
I go mad at the weekend as all the youngsters seem to forever be wetting the ball on the shiny side, apart from making that side heavier you would't polish wet shoes and the wonder why they can't swing it.,
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: SteffanLangholz on January 27, 2017, 09:08:28 AM
First off, don't use sweat. Especially nutsweat. It contains acids and will wear down the shine.
Use either skingrease from the side of your nose or spit. Only a small amount, shine vigorously to heat and dry the surface making it more shiny and even.

Works for me at least
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Kez on January 27, 2017, 09:38:28 AM
For conventional swing:
1. Have a Murray mint in your pocket
2. Lick fingers to make moist
3. Rub fingers on Murray mint
4. Rub fingers on shiny side
5. Buff like mad on trousers

For reverse:
Don't let anyone put moisture on the ball
Try and scuff up just one side- throwing the ball in on the bounce or having a pick at it.
And shine the other without any moisture present.

Oh sorry did you want legal ways to do it  ;)
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Seniorplayer on January 27, 2017, 09:52:18 AM
Use leather furniture restorer wax let it dry on the ball  then polish using small circular motions with a soft clean duster.
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Northern monkey on January 27, 2017, 10:15:36 AM
Murray mint
As long as it's a decent ball
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Jlscarroll17 on January 27, 2017, 12:10:24 PM
Kendal mint cake, just pure sugar only takes a little bit and it works wonders !! Same principle as the Murray mint
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Woodyspin on January 27, 2017, 04:35:12 PM
We found at my club that a tiny bit of wetting to the shiny side then lightly buffing it until shiny works. vigorous shining has torn the lacquer off the ball in patches! don't know why but our balls love a bit of TLC... Que @FattusCattus innuendo!
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: FattusCattus on January 27, 2017, 05:45:54 PM
I just rub furiously on the man-made fibres of my shorts until it perks up.
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: jamesisapayne on January 27, 2017, 08:57:26 PM
I just rub furiously on the man-made fibres of my shorts until it perks up.

Err... what exactly is it that perks up Fattus. Just the ball with all that rubbing in the groin area ;)
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on January 27, 2017, 09:17:09 PM
Use leather furniture restorer wax let it dry on the ball  then polish using small circular motions with a soft clean duster.

Where do you keep this while fielding?
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Seniorplayer on January 27, 2017, 09:53:40 PM
In the batsmans  jockstrap
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: jamesisapayne on January 27, 2017, 10:04:40 PM
I really hope most of these suggestions are just tongue in cheek and not really used. If people are intentionally using furniture polish, Kendal mint cake et all then you're effectively bringing the game into disrepute, tampering with the ball and gaining an unfair advantage.
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Seniorplayer on January 27, 2017, 10:07:50 PM
I really hope most of these suggestions are just tongue in cheek and not really used. If people are intentionally using furniture polish, Kendal mint cake et all then you're effectively bringing the game into disrepute, tampering with the ball and gaining an unfair advantage.

Someone needs to lighten up
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on January 27, 2017, 10:23:44 PM
I really hope most of these suggestions are just tongue in cheek and not really used. If people are intentionally using furniture polish, Kendal mint cake et all then you're effectively bringing the game into disrepute, tampering with the ball and gaining an unfair advantage.

Totally agree mate, we all know a dollop of vaseline on the back of your neck is the way to do it... ;)
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: smilley792 on January 27, 2017, 10:28:19 PM
Totally agree mate, we all know a dollop of vaseline on the back of your neck is the way to do it... ;)

Under your collar dude!!
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: uknsaunders on January 28, 2017, 10:17:19 AM
I really hope most of these suggestions are just tongue in cheek and not really used. If people are intentionally using furniture polish, Kendal mint cake et all then you're effectively bringing the game into disrepute, tampering with the ball and gaining an unfair advantage.

Don't be such a killjoy
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: jamesisapayne on January 28, 2017, 10:32:16 AM
Don't be such a killjoy

Wasn't my intention at all. I might have taken some of these suggestions the wrong way if they were intended as a joke and not what people actually do. Hey ho, you live and learn.
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: uknsaunders on January 28, 2017, 10:41:24 AM
I've thought more and more shining the ball is more to do with managing the rough side than shining. Most wickets in England allow a ball to retain it's shine with minimal shining. The trick is actually to create a proper rough side and create the imbalance that leads to drag in the air (between the 2 sides).

Couple of examples, I remember taking a ball in a game that was completely roughed up on both sides on an abrasive deck. Within a couple of overs I was getting it to swing round corners through soaking one side in sweat and shining. Taking this to the extreme, once in my 30 odd years, I came across reverse swing. I remember using a cheap indian ball for a Sunday game. On our deck, the ball was wrecked in no time. Everybody looked at it and thought "rubbish ball". When the oppo used it (one ball per game), about 10 overs in this lad came onto bowl and it started hooping down leg. The guy kept muttering "I normally bowl outswingers" and eventually got taken off. I took the match ball and used it in the nets. It did reverse even at my gentle pace.

Manage the ball yes, but get some wear on it if you want it to swing.

Just to go back to the opening post, I remember our 20 over old match ball getting hit into a puddle. The ball got soaked but 2/3 overs it really hooped. Soaking in water can help create an imbalance as the water adds weight and mass to the ball.
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Number4 on January 28, 2017, 12:31:52 PM
I'm surprised a Pom asked this question as we all know you guys are the best at ball tampering  ;) :D
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: Number4 on January 28, 2017, 12:33:51 PM
I've thought more and more shining the ball is more to do with managing the rough side than shining. Most wickets in England allow a ball to retain it's shine with minimal shining. The trick is actually to create a proper rough side and create the imbalance that leads to drag in the air (between the 2 sides).

Couple of examples, I remember taking a ball in a game that was completely roughed up on both sides on an abrasive deck. Within a couple of overs I was getting it to swing round corners through soaking one side in sweat and shining. Taking this to the extreme, once in my 30 odd years, I came across reverse swing. I remember using a cheap indian ball for a Sunday game. On our deck, the ball was wrecked in no time. Everybody looked at it and thought "rubbish ball". When the oppo used it (one ball per game), about 10 overs in this lad came onto bowl and it started hooping down leg. The guy kept muttering "I normally bowl outswingers" and eventually got taken off. I took the match ball and used it in the nets. It did reverse even at my gentle pace.

Manage the ball yes, but get some wear on it if you want it to swing.

Just to go back to the opening post, I remember our 20 over old match ball getting hit into a puddle. The ball got soaked but 2/3 overs it really hooped. Soaking in water can help create an imbalance as the water adds weight and mass to the ball.

Good point on roughing up one side Nick... Shining is important but so is roughing
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: brokenbat on January 28, 2017, 02:47:40 PM
If you are looking to maintain swing in the nets to make batting practice more challenging , this is how I progress to keep it swinging. I use a lot of sidearm and hate when a good quality ball just stops swinging after one or two nets. So this is what I do:

1. Those "quick shine" things for shoes are great for reasonably new balls. Very easy and quick
2. Sweat, spit and "traditional" shining once the ball wears out more.
3. A tiny bit of Vaseline to resurrect some swing as the ball gays even older
4. And finally, I go to town on the non shiny side with my Swiss army knife  (use the blade as well as the saw). This enables the ball to reverse swing pretty much for life. With the Sidearm this becomes VERY challenging but is good fun.
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: InternalTraining on January 30, 2017, 11:30:16 PM
4. And finally, I go to town on the non shiny side with my Swiss army knife  (use the blade as well as the saw). This enables the ball to reverse swing pretty much for life. With the Sidearm this becomes VERY challenging but is good fun.

What exactly do you do with the knife blade and the saw to the ball? Which side of the ball do you "go to town on"?
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: langer17 on January 30, 2017, 11:50:00 PM
I used a bit of sunscreen and a lot of elbow grease on my older match balls to get a nice shine on them again.
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: manno on January 31, 2017, 12:01:11 AM
If you are looking to maintain swing in the nets to make batting practice more challenging , this is how I progress to keep it swinging. I use a lot of sidearm and hate when a good quality ball just stops swinging after one or two nets. So this is what I do:

1. Those "quick shine" things for shoes are great for reasonably new balls. Very easy and quick
2. Sweat, spit and "traditional" shining once the ball wears out more.
3. A tiny bit of Vaseline to resurrect some swing as the ball gays even older
4. And finally, I go to town on the non shiny side with my Swiss army knife  (use the blade as well as the saw). This enables the ball to reverse swing pretty much for life. With the Sidearm this becomes VERY challenging but is good fun.

The gentlemans game.  ;)
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: brokenbat on January 31, 2017, 12:21:47 AM
What exactly do you do with the knife blade and the saw to the ball? Which side of the ball do you "go to town on"?

The non shiny side. Use your imagine- slash and saw away to create maximum roughness.

Then give it to someone who's good with the Sidearm and get ready for bruised toes ;)
Title: Re: Perfect way to shine a cricket ball ???
Post by: InternalTraining on January 31, 2017, 04:20:47 AM
The non shiny side. Use your imagine- slash and saw away to create maximum roughness.

Then give it to someone who's good with the Sidearm and get ready for bruised toes ;)

And Vaseline on the shiny side?