This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
On May 18, 2020, the International Cricket Council's (ICC) influential cricket committee made crucial recommendations to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the sport.
Following a briefing from the governing body's medical advisory committee, the committee unanimously agreed that the traditional method of polishing the ball using saliva poses an elevated risk of transmission and should be shelved for now.
However, sweat will still be permitted as an alternative method.
The committee also suggested voting to suspend the rule guaranteeing neutral umpires in Test cricket, a measure aimed at minimizing travel amid quarantine issues.
This decision comes as no home nation umpire has stood in a Test since 2002, and the ICC mandated the use of one neutral umpire per Test in 1994, extended to two eight years later.
Additionally, the committee proposed awarding one additional DRS review to each team per innings.
Former India captain Anil Kumble, who chairs the cricket committee, stated:
