‘Ban on saliva an interim measure’

The sport of cricket will be deprived of one if its most common sights when international competition resumes in a few months’ time — that of a fast bowler or his teammates applying saliva to polish one side of the ball to derive swing or movement in the air.

In what looks like more of an ‘‘interim’’ and hygienic measure, the Cricket Committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC) recommended banning the usage of saliva to polish the match ball — while use of sweat to retain the shine will be acceptable.

The decision of the committee, which met on video conference, chaired by former India captain Anil Kumble and comprising highprofile ex-international stars such as Andrew Strauss, Mahela Jayawardene, Rahul Dravid and Shaun Pollock, will now be presented for ratification to the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee in early June — where a seal of approval looks a formality.

“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,” said Kumble.

The recommendation, however, evoked a mixed response from the cricket fraternity that Gulf News spoke.

“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,” said a statement.

Speaking over telephone, former Indian pacer Chetan Sharma felt the move was not full-proof to ensure hygienic safety for the cricketers. ‘‘How can you ensure that just by stopping the bowlers or fielders from applying spit on the ball, you can stop the ball from being a carrier of germs? Any cricketer can inadvertently touch his face or moist his lips and then handle the ball.”