The use of artificial substances to polish the cricket ball, which effectively means ball tampering, could be considered for legalisation when the game resumes after the Covid-19 pandemic that has made bowlers wary of applying saliva on the red cherry.

According to a report, the administrators are “open to the option of allowing for the use of an agreed artificial substance to polish the ball under the supervision of the umpires”, which amounts to ball tampering as per the current rules governing the sport.

The two major groups likely to discuss the issue before cricket returns are the ICC cricket committee and the MCC’s world cricket committee.