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[Seniorplayer]

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

[WalkingWicket37]

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...

[smilley792]

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!!

[uknsaunders]

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

[jamesisapayne]

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.

[uknsaunders]

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.

[Number4]

I'm surprised a Pom asked this question as we all know you guys are the best at ball tampering 

[Number4]

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

[brokenbat]

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.

[InternalTraining]

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"?

[langer17]

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.

[manno]

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. 

[brokenbat]

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

[InternalTraining]

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?