MCC bans saliva use for polishing ball; also legalizes mankid
When a batsman is caught out, the newcomer will face the next ball until the end of the over.
Cricketers will not be allowed to use saliva to polish the ball, while new rules approved by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), a rare but completely legitimate "standardized" method of dismissing batsmen. I will not be listed under unfair play.
Cricketers have used the ancient method of polishing one side of the ball with saliva and sweat to help the bowlers move more in the air as it travels towards the batsmen.
The new rules impose a permanent ban on spitting the ball for health reasons, which was enacted in July 2020 when men's cricket resumed following the suspension of COVID-19.
The MCC said it had found through research that the ban had little or no effect on the amount of bowlers swinging during that period. The ball will still be allowed to be polished with sweat.
The MCC said in a statement that the new rules would not allow the use of saliva on the ball.
The new rules will treat the player the same as for the use of saliva, as is the case with the use of other unfair methods of changing the position of the ball.
The Lord's-based MCC, the sole governing body of cricket since its inception in 1787, said the changes would take effect on October 1.
In a "manned" dismissal, the bowler dismisses the batsman standing at the non-striker end before he completes the delivery when he is out of the crease.
Despite being legal, Indian bowler Venu Mankad, who similarly ran out Australia's Bill Brown in 1947, is considered against the spirit of the game.
The MCC said that although the wording of the law would remain the same, it would move from Rule 41 (unfair game) to Rule 38 (Runout).
The MCC added that when a batsman is caught out, the new player will return to the end at which the striker was and will face the next ball until the end of the over.
MCC has today announced its new code of Laws for 2022, which will come into force from 1 October.
— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) March 8, 2022
Full information on the changes ⤵️#MCCLaws