DUBAI: The ICC on Tuesday approved COVID-19 replacements in Test cricket, banned the use of saliva to shine the ball and re-introduced non-neutral umpires for bilateral series as part of its interim playing regulations to tackle the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the five new regulations, recommended by the Anil Kumble-chaired Cricket Committee, and ratified by the Chief Executives Committee (CEC), the teams will also be allowed an additional DRS call as home umpires will now be officiating in bilateral Test series.
Also, a 32-inch additional logo would be permitted on the players’ jerseys, which will help teams make commercial gains as Boards battle the pandemic’s financial blow.
“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,” the ICC stated in a press release.
“However, the regulation for COVID-19 replacements will not be applicable in ODIs and T20Is,” it added.
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