England's bowlers could be patting themselves on the back in a bid to dismiss West Indies batsmen in the first Test of the summer on Wednesday. With the use of saliva to polish the ball banned by the ICC due to temporary Covid-19 regulations — perpetrators face the threat of a five-run penalty — it has limited bowlers to the application of sweat to get it into a condition that promotes swing. But 'repeated' use of saliva will result in five penalty runs being added to the batting team's total. At the start of behind-closed-doors training in May, England's players were advised not to apply either saliva or sweat to the ball but the ECB recommendations have since softened. Initial coronavirus guidance to England and West Indies also encouraged the returning of the ball to the bowler directly from the wicketkeeper, although the usual practice of it being relayed around the field was permitted ahead of the teams' practice matches last month.

Source: Daily Mail July 06, 2020 21:32 UTC