England's Dom Sibley applies saliva on ball by mistake, umpires sanitize ball

The ICC's new guidelines came into play on Sunday (July 20) after  England's Dom Sibley used saliva on the ball by mistake on the fourth day of the second Test against West Indies in Manchester. Sibley's action prompted on-field umpire Michael Gough to sanitised the ball quickly.

Sibley admitted to accidentally applying saliva on the ball while fielding. It is to be noted that England themselves informed the umpires about Dibley's mistake.

The ICC has temporarily banned the use of saliva to shine balls due to coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

"Players will not be permitted to use saliva to shine the ball. If a player does apply saliva to the ball, the umpires will manage the situation with some leniency during an initial period of adjustment for the players, but subsequent instances will result in the team receiving a warning. A team can be issued up to two warnings per innings but repeated use of saliva on the ball will result in a 5-run penalty to the batting side. Whenever saliva is applied to the ball, the umpires will be instructed to clean the ball before play recommences," ICC had stated earlier.

Earlier, Sibley had scored 120 runs to help England score 469 for 9. All-rounder Ben Stokes top scored for the hosts with 176.

In reply, West Indies were 118 for 2 at lunch on Day 4.

Since the bowlers are not allowed to apply saliva on the ball, the bowlers are using sweat to shine the ball.

England captain Joe Root had earlier said the ban on application of saliva on ball won't affect cricket in England.

"Don't think it would change too much in England," said Root on Sony Ten Pit Stop which was aired on the network's Facebook page.

"It depends on the conditions. There has not been too much cricket played so the squares and the outfield will be really lush so the damage to the Duke ball really doesn't take effect until the 40th or 50th over if that is the case so there should be enough swing. They normally stay hard longer than the Kookaburra or the SG balls. So I can't see it having as much of an impact especially at the start of the summer. Ultimately it's going to be the same for both sides and it has to be managed by both teams," Root added.