The ICC Cricket Committee has submitted its recommendations for ways the game should adapt following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Most notably, the committee, which is led by former Indian captain Anil Kumble, advised against the use of saliva to shine the ball with sweat the ideal alternative for bowlers to implement.

These recommendations will now be passed on to the ICC’s chief executive committee for revision before approval in June.

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The proposed idea has recently triggered a lot of debate in cricketing circles around the world, with many current and former players alluding to a different method of lawful tampering with the ball.

The advice and recommendations have been based on the feedback the committee received from the chair of the ICC medical advisory committee, Dr Peter Harcourt, given the severe risk the use of saliva now holds for players.

Sweat, on the other hand, carries little to no risk in the spreading or transmitting of coronavirus.

Another change the committee recommended is the use of local umpires – for the foreseeable future at least – in international matches due to many countries upholding travel bans.

The appointments will continue to be made via the ICC from local elite and international panel referees and umpires. Where there are no elite panel match officials in the country, the best local international panel match officials will be appointed.

In response, Kumble acknowledged the severe challenges cricket faces and that the committee and the ICC are exploring every possible option to ensure safe playing environments around the world.

‘We are living through extraordinary times and the recommendations the committee have made today are interim measures to enable us to safely resume cricket in a way that preserves the essence of our game whilst protecting everyone involved,’ said Kumble.