The ICC has confirmed interim Covid-19 replacements to its playing regulations, including allowing home umpires in international series and the ban on the usage of saliva to shine the ball.
The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) ratified recommendations from the Anil Kumble-led Cricket Committee with the aim of mitigating the risks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the safety of players and officials as cricket resumes. However, the COVID-19 replacements will not be applicable in ODIs and T20Is.
COVID-19 Replacements: Teams will be able to replace players having symptoms of COVID-19 during a Test match. The Match Referee will approve the nearest replacement.
Ban on applying saliva to the ball: Players will not be allowed to use saliva in order to shine the ball. If a player applies saliva to the ball, the umpires will manage the situation with some leniency throughout an initial period of adjustment for the players, however, subsequent instances will cause the team to receive a warning.
A team can be issued two warnings per innings but repeated usage of saliva on the ball will result in a five-run penalty to the batting side. Every time the saliva is applied, the umpires will be instructed to clean the ball before play recommences.
Non-neutral umpires: Due to the current logistical challenges with international travel, the requirement to appoint neutral officials will be removed temporarily from the playing conditions for all international formats.
Additional DRS reviews: The CEC also confirmed another unsuccessful DRS review for each team in each innings of a game, keeping in mind that there might be less experienced umpires on duty at times. This will help to increase the number of unsuccessful appeals each innings for each team to 3 for Tests and 2 for the white-ball formats.
Additional logo allowed: At the same time, the CEC has approved a relaxation of rules on apparel logos for the next 12 months.
A logo, not exceeding 32 square inches, might be placed on the chest of the Test match shirt and sweater besides the three other logos allowed as each regulations. As of now, logos on chests are allowed only in ODIs and T20Is.
