The New norm? Cricket Australia set to seek ICC's permission to use disinfectants on match balls

Cricket Australia is set to seek International Cricket Council’s (ICC) permission to use disinfectants of match balls in a bid to reduce the health risk to players as the gentlemen’s game prepares for life post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Cricket Australia’s Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager Alex Koountouris has said that an overall set of guidelines have been prepared for players to return safely to training, however, competitive cricket is expected to be played only later in the year.

Disinfectants were used on match balls in German Bundesliga to limit the health risk of players during football matches in the country. However, football and cricket are complete opposite when it comes to usage of the ball.

With the ICC’s Cricket Committee recommending a ban on saliva for the players to shine the ball, Kountouris said that testing will soon start on whether disinfecting the ball could minimize health risk.

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"Disinfecting the ball is a consideration," Koumtoris was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

...we'd have to speak to the ICC and get permission, there's a lot of things (to consider). And whether it's effective or not. The ball being leather, it's harder to disinfect because it's got little nooks and crevasses.

"...we don't know how infected the ball is going to get and we don't know if it's going to be allowed. But it's absolutely a consideration. Everything is on the table at the moment, everything is being considered."

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Cricket Australia’s Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager further said that with England likely to play cricket before Australia, they can check the results there before implementing them in Australia. 

"From an Australian cricket perspective, other countries are probably going to play before us," he said.

"We've got a chance to work with the ICC and other countries to see what they come up with and how it works for them. We'll obviously take whatever steps we need to do to make sure we lower the risk."