Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) of the ICC (International Cricket Council) on Tuesday banned the use of saliva to shine the ball and also introduced replacements for players showing COVID-19 symptoms. Apart from these two major decisions, ICC announced several interim changes.

ICCs decisions are based on the recommendations from Anil Kumble-led cricket committee, which is formed to mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19 virus and protect safety of players and match officials when cricket resumes.

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Speaking replacements of players during a match, ICC, through a statement, said: “Teams will be allowed to replace players displaying symptoms of COVID-19 during a test match. In line with concussion replacements, the match referee will approve the nearest like-for-like replacement.”

ICC also approved the appointment of home umpires in international series as recommended by the committee led by former leg-spinner Anil Kumble. The CEC also confirmed an additional unsuccessful DRS review? in each innings of a match. This decision was taken keeping in mind that home umpires are less experienced as compared to the ICC’s elite panel umpires.