XtraTime Web Desk: A significant update comes in as cricket is set to do away with one of its oldest practices – the use of saliva to shine the ball – as an Anil Kumble-led ICC committee on Monday recommended banning it owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the ICC Cricket Committee saw no health hazard in continuing with the use of sweat.
During a meeting over a video conference, the committee also pushed for bringing back two non-neutral umpires (both from the host nation) for all international matches, as DRS ensures more accurate decision making. This was also recommended to curb travel.
In line with its proposal, the committee has recommended an increase in the use of DRS review per innings, from two to three.
“We are living through extraordinary times and the recommendations the Committee have made today are interim measures to enable us to safely resume cricket in a way that preserves the essence of our game while protecting everyone involved,” Kumble said in an ICC release.
“We are living through extraordinary times and the recommendations the Committee have made today are interim measures to enable us to safely resume cricket in a way that preserves the essence of our game while protecting everyone involved,” Kumble said in an ICC release.
“The ICC Cricket Committee heard from the Chair of the ICC Medical Advisory Committee Dr Peter Harcourt regarding the elevated risk of the transmission of the virus through saliva, and unanimously agreed to recommend that the use of saliva to polish the ball be prohibited,” the apex body said in the release.
However, the bowlers can continue using sweat to shine the ball as it’s not a virus transmitter.
“The Committee also noted the medical advice that it is highly unlikely that the virus can be transmitted through sweat.
“… (It) saw no need to prohibit the use of sweat to polish the ball while recommending that enhanced hygiene measures are implemented on and around the playing field.”
The use of saliva to shine the cricket ball, especially in the red-ball format, is primarily meant for swing bowling but the practice is now being seen as a health risk in a world battling the pandemic.
As the ICC last month contemplated banning the use of saliva as a safety measure in what is expected to be a very different world going ahead, it has thrown the floor open for a fierce debate in the cricket community.
Only time will tell how much of an imbalance between the bat and ball will the whole thing cause, but fast bowing greats such as Michael Holding and Waqar Younis have already expressed their aversion to the idea.
Another notable point discussed in the meeting was re-introduction of two non-neutral umpires in bilateral series at least till the time travelling becomes safer.