Former Test greats Tim Southee and Vernon Philander have backed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mohammed-shami" rel="dofollow">Mohammed Shami</a>&rsquo;s plea to the ICC to revoke the ban on saliva usage in international cricket. After India&rsquo;s four-wicket win over Australia in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/champions-trophy" rel="dofollow">Champions Trophy</a> semis, Shami said as a seamer, he always tries to make the old ball talk, but because the ICC has barred them from using saliva, it makes it tougher for the quicks to reverse the ball, especially on batting friendly pitches.
"We are trying [to get reverse swing], but the usage of saliva on the ball is not allowed," Shami said.
"We keep appealing that we should be allowed to use saliva so that we can bring reverse swing back into the game, and it becomes interesting," he added.
The ban on using saliva to polish the ball first came into place five years ago in May 2020, when the apex body barred everyone from using it to avoid the spread of COVID-19 infection. Although that began as a temporary measure, the ICC made this ban permanent in September 2022.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/ind-vs-nz-champions-trophy-final-why-dubai-hosting-india-games-making-everyone-hate-watching-indian-cricket-8827057" rel="dofollow">IND vs NZ Champions Trophy Final | Why are fans 'hate-watching' Indian cricket?</a>
India&rsquo;s pace spearhead at the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 has urged the ICC to reconsider revoking this ban, with former seamers jumping on to back him.&nbsp;
"That was a rule brought around Covid with the virus going around the world, but I think as a bowler, you want to have a slight advantage," Southee said on ESPNcricinfo's Match Day.&nbsp;
"We see the game going the way it's going and seeing sides score 362, and more often than not over 300 in this format. I think there needs to be something in the bowlers' favour, and whether that's a little bit of saliva, then yeah, I don't see why they couldn't afford to get that back in,&rdquo; he continued.&nbsp;
<h2>Reverse swing would have helped Proteas</h2>
On the other hand, Philander also spoke in Shami&rsquo;s favour, saying that had reverse swing been in place during the ongoing tournament, it would have helped South African seamers in the semis tie (against New Zealand), which they lost by 50 runs.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/indias-best-batter-virat-kohli-is-englands-third-highest-odi-run-scorer-heres-how-8827734" rel="dofollow">India&rsquo;s best batter Virat Kohli is third-highest ODI run scorer for 'England'. Know how</a>
"If we look at the state of that ball, I mean towards the back end, it was really scuffed up, and I think had you used the saliva [to polish one side of the ball], the element of the reverse swing might have come into play," Philander said.&nbsp;
"So, it certainly does play a part. You can get it to shine up and you use the elements to swing it a little longer.
"I'd like to see that element being brought back into the game because I think it's needed as well. I mean, especially in ODI cricket where we see batters really dominating, especially when you play on surfaces like we've just seen in Pakistan as well where it's really batter friendly,&rdquo; he continued.
Meanwhile, India and New Zealand will face off in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final on Sunday (March 9) in Dubai.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

Sports, Cricket: The ban on using saliva to polish the ball first came into place in May 2020, when the ICC barred everyone from using it to avoid the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Former Test greats Tim Southee and Vernon Philander have backed Mohammed Shami’s plea to the ICC to revoke the ban on saliva usage in international cricket. After India’s four-wicket win over Australia in the Champions Trophy semis, Shami said as a seamer, he always tries to make the old ball talk, but because the ICC has barred them from using saliva, it makes it tougher for the quicks to reverse the ball, especially on batting friendly pitches. "We are trying [to get reverse swing], but the usage of saliva on the ball is not allowed," Shami said. "We keep appealing that we should be allowed to use saliva so that we can bring reverse swing back into the game, and it becomes interesting," he added. The ban on using saliva to polish the ball first came into place five years ago in May 2020, when the apex body barred everyone from using it to avoid the spread of COVID-19 infection. Although that began as a temporary measure, the ICC made this ban permanent in September 2022. Also read | IND vs NZ Champions Trophy Final | Why are fans 'hate-watching' Indian cricket? India’s pace spearhead at the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025 has urged the ICC to reconsider revoking this ban, with former seamers jumping on to back him. "That was a rule brought around Covid with the virus going around the world, but I think as a bowler, you want to have a slight advantage," Southee said on ESPNcricinfo's Match Day. "We see the game going the way it's going and seeing sides score 362, and more often than not over 300 in this format. I think there needs to be something in the bowlers' favour, and whether that's a little bit of saliva, then yeah, I don't see why they couldn't afford to get that back in,” he continued. Reverse swing would have helped Proteas On the other hand, Philander also spoke in Shami’s favour, saying that had reverse swing been in place during the ongoing tournament, it would have helped South African seamers in the semis tie (against New Zealand), which they lost by 50 runs. Also read | India’s best batter Virat Kohli is third-highest ODI run scorer for 'England'. Know how "If we look at the state of that ball, I mean towards the back end, it was really scuffed up, and I think had you used the saliva [to polish one side of the ball], the element of the reverse swing might have come into play," Philander said. "So, it certainly does play a part. You can get it to shine up and you use the elements to swing it a little longer. "I'd like to see that element being brought back into the game because I think it's needed as well. I mean, especially in ODI cricket where we see batters really dominating, especially when you play on surfaces like we've just seen in Pakistan as well where it's really batter friendly,” he continued. Meanwhile, India and New Zealand will face off in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final on Sunday (March 9) in Dubai. (With inputs from agencies)

Test greats back Shami’s plea to revoke saliva ban for ‘reverse swing’

The Cricket Committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has recommended a number of tweaks to the gentlemen’s game as preventive measures to curb the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 whenever the live action resumes.&nbsp;

The Cricket Committee, led by former India captain Anil Kumble, has recommended a ban on the usage of saliva to shine the ball. However, the players would be allowed to use sweat to shine the ball as the members saw no health hazard as it is not a virus transmitter, as per medical advice.&nbsp;

The Kumble-led Cricket Committee further recommended local umpires and match referees for international matches as the Decision Review System (DRS) is there to help them out. This step will allow fewer members travelling for a match.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sports-ministry-gives-go-ahead-to-resumption-of-training-as-per-mha-guidelines-299488" hreflang="en">Sports Ministry gives go ahead to resumption of training as per MHA guidelines</a>

“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 chairman Anil Kumble said in a statement.

Only two DRS are available to each team per innings and the committee has recommended it to be increased to three.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-hopes-rise-as-indian-government-allows-re-opening-of-stadiums-299457" hreflang="en">IPL hopes rise as Indian government allows re-opening of stadiums</a>

"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 ICC said in the release.

"... (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 ball is for the bowlers to swing the ball, especially in the longest format of the game. But now the usage of saliva is being seen as a health risk.&nbsp;

"Given the challenges of international travel with borders being closed, limited commercial flights and mandatory quarantine periods, the Committee recommended that local match officials be appointed in the short-term," the governing body stated in its release.

The Cricket Committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has recommended a number of tweaks to the gentlemen’s game as preventive measures to curb the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 whenever the live action resumes.

The Cricket Committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has recommended a number of tweaks to the gentlemen’s game as preventive measures to curb the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 whenever the live action resumes. The Cricket Committee, led by former India captain Anil Kumble, has recommended a ban on the usage of saliva to shine the ball. However, the players would be allowed to use sweat to shine the ball as the members saw no health hazard as it is not a virus transmitter, as per medical advice. The Kumble-led Cricket Committee further recommended local umpires and match referees for international matches as the Decision Review System (DRS) is there to help them out. This step will allow fewer members travelling for a match. ALSO READ: Sports Ministry gives go ahead to resumption of training as per MHA guidelines “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 chairman Anil Kumble said in a statement. Only two DRS are available to each team per innings and the committee has recommended it to be increased to three. ALSO READ: IPL hopes rise as Indian government allows re-opening of stadiums "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 ICC said in the release. "... (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 ball is for the bowlers to swing the ball, especially in the longest format of the game. But now the usage of saliva is being seen as a health risk. "Given the challenges of international travel with borders being closed, limited commercial flights and mandatory quarantine periods, the Committee recommended that local match officials be appointed in the short-term," the governing body stated in its release.

Anil Kumble-led ICC Cricket Committee recommends ban on saliva due to COVID-19 pandemic

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Test greats back Shami’s plea to revoke saliva ban for ‘reverse swing’

Anil Kumble-led ICC Cricket Committee recommends ban on saliva due to COVID-19 pandemic