ICC bans saliva-use permanently
The usage of saliva to polish the cricket ball has been banned permanently by the International Cricket Council. The ban comes into effect on October 1.
Saliva use had been curtailed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and it was found that it did not have much of an impact on the game as bowlers found other ways to make the ball swing.
The ICC also announced that the World Test Championship final of 2023 and 2025 will both be held in London — at the Oval and Lord’s, respectively.