Coronavirus: Australia bans use of saliva, sweat to shine the ball

New Delhi : Post coronavirus era will not be the same as it was before, several changes will be seen in all major fields. If we talk about cricket, Australia has banned the use of saliva and sweat to shine the ball once playing cricket resumes in the post-COVID-19 world, says a framework released by the federal government regarding the staged return of sports amid the pandemic.

The measures have been announced to cut down the risk of transmitting the highly contagious coronavirus disease, suggesting that the ICC is working on getting an artificial substance to polish the red ball under the supervision of umpires.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in consultation with medical experts, sporting bodies and federal and state governments, has come up with guidelines, restricting the use of saliva and sweat to shine the ball.

The framework also provides guideline for training and management of illness in elite sports.

"The approach to training should focus on 'get in, train, get out', minimising unnecessary contact in change rooms, bathrooms and communal areas. Prior to resumption, sporting organisations should have agreed protocols in place for management of illness in athletes and other personnel," it said.

"Individuals should not return to sport if in the last 14 days they have been unwell or had contact with a known or suspected case of COVID-19.

"Any individual with respiratory symptoms (even if mild) should be considered a potential case and must immediately self-isolate, have COVID-19 excluded and be medically cleared by a doctor to return to the training environment.

"Athletes returning to sport after COVID-19 infection require special consideration prior to resumption of high intensity physical activity."