Kumble-led ICC committee recommends ban on saliva due to pandemic, wants non-neutral umpires

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 internationals 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.

"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 Committee also recommended that the use of technology is increased to support the appointments of a wider pool of umpires from around the world and has proposed an additional DRS review per team per innings is introduced in each format as an interim measure."