Earlier, former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble chair headed the International Cricket Council Cricket Committee meeting. During the same, the committee recommended a ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball amid the spread of coronavirus.

Anil Kumble reveals that the prohibition on the use of saliva is only an interim measure. He adds that and “things will go back to normal” once the outbreak of CoronaVirus across the world is under control.

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Speaking on Star Sports show ‘Cricket Connected’, Kumble said ”…this is only an interim measure and as long as we have hopefully control over COVID in a few months or a year’s time then I think things will go back to as normal as it can be.”

The fast bowlers have given a mixed response to the saliva ban.  Shining the ball is an integral part of bowlers as it helps them swing the ball both ways. It is a traditional practice for the bowlers to use saliva to shine the ball. However, the practice is unsafe now as the CoronaVirus spreads through the medium of spits and droplets. With saliva banned, there were reports suggesting ICC allowing the use of external substances like wax to shine the ball.

Commenting in the same Kumble said,  “…if you look back at the history of the game, I mean we have been very critical and we have been very focused on eliminating any external substances coming into the game. Whether you are literally legalizing if you are looking to do that now which obviously has had a great impact over the last couple of years.”

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Kumble used the 2018 ball-tampering scandal as an example where Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were banned. He said, ”ICC took a decision but then cricket Australia took. Even a tougher stance on what happened during that series between South Africa and Australia, so we did consider that.”