The International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Committee has today unanimously agreed to recommend applying salvia to the ball be banned because of the associated risk of spreading the deadly virus.

Dr Peter Harcourt, chairman of the ICC Medical Advisory Committee, offed the Cricket Committee medical advice, which included how the latest research suggests it is unlikely that coronavirus can be transmitted through sweat.

Players will therefore be allowed to use sweat when seeking to shine one side of the ball under the recommendations.

In the past, players known for having dry palms have frequently been chosen to take the lead on their side's efforts to shine the ball.

The recommendations will be put to the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee next month, when they are expected to be approved.

The Cricket Committee also recommended that, as a short-term measure, umpires and match referees from the host nation should be allowed to officiate international matches.

At present, the match referee cannot be from the same nation as either of the two teams playing in any of the three international formats, while the two on-field umpires and third umpire must come from neutral countries for Test matches.

Given restrictions on travel and quarantine demands put in place in light of the pandemic, it was felt that insisting neutral umpires are flown in is impractical.

To support the umpires, the Cricket Committee also suggested an extra video review be given to each team each innings.

"We are living through extraordinary times and the recommendations the Committee have made today are interim measures to enable us to safely resume cricket in a way that preserves the essence of our game whilst protecting everyone involved," said Indian legend Anil Kumble, chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee.

International cricket has been brought to a standstill by the pandemic, but plans are afoot in England, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere for it to return behind closed doors.