Ex-New Zealand bowler Tim Southee has joined India's Mohammed Shami in urging the International Cricket Council (ICC) to remove the ban on the use of saliva to polish the ball. The ban, first introduced as a temporary solution amid the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, was ratified as permanent in September 2022.
Following India's four-wicket victory against Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final, Shami has complained about the restriction, stressing its effect on reverse swing. "We are attempting [to get reverse swing], but using saliva on the ball is not permitted. We keep requesting that we can use saliva so that we can reintroduce reverse swing to the game and make the game more exciting," Shami said.
Supporting Shami's argument, Southee called for the ICC to revisit the ban, calling for bowlers to enjoy some upper hand in the game. "That was a regulation brought around Covid with the virus spreading across the globe, but I feel as a bowler, you want to possess a bit of an edge. I feel there has to be something in the bowlers' favour," Southee explained on ESPNcricinfo's Match Day.
In an era where batting-friendly conditions have tended to prevail, debate surrounding the return of saliva for ball care has picked up among bowlers who wish to restore reverse swing as a balling option.
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