The novel COVID-19 or coronavirus has forced to stop cricket and opened up the doubt how the bowlers will handle the present situation on using saliva or sweat on the balls. The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricket Committee has come out with the recommendation to change the ICC regulations in this circumstance where the bowlers can use sweat on the balls. Still, the handling of saliva on the cricket balls has been prohibited. These recommendations will be presented to the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee in early June for approval.
In this crisis moment, the cricket family has a strong doubt on using the saliva or sweat on the balls to shine it due to the high possibilities of transmitting the virus in this practice. But if these have been prohibited, it will massively take off the advantages from the bowlers.
Anil Kumble-led ICC Cricket Committee has recommended changes to fight in this crisis. After hearing from the Chair of the ICC Medical Advisory Committee Dr Peter Harcourt, the Cricket Committee has recommended to ban using saliva on the balls. However, as the virus can’t be transmitted through the sweat, it is still safe to use on the balls.
Kumble talked about that change, “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 whilst protecting everyone involved.”
ICC Cricket Committee also comes up with the suggestions on the match officials
The Cricket Committee has also come up with the recommendations on changing to the appointment of match officials in international matches in this crisis. As the coronavirus has forced to put many restrictions, especially the travel, the Committee has recommended using the local match officials in the short term.
The ICC press release stated, “The appointments will continue to be made via the ICC from local Elite and International Panel referees and umpires. Where there are no Elite Panel match officials in the country, the best local International Panel match officials will be appointed.”
The committee has also proposed to add another DRS review per team per innings in each format for the interim period.