What is “Ball Tampering” that is being considered by ICC recently?

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering to legalize ball tampering.

Context of the News

• The ICC is considering to use an artificial substance under the supervision of umpires to polish cricket balls as applying saliva risks the spread of COVID-19. 
• The use of artificial substance has been banned in cricket.

What is ball tampering?

• Ball Tampering is an action in which the player of the fielding team in cricket illegally alters the condition of the ball. 
• It is done to achieve favourable bowling conditions against the batsman. 
• Using sweat or spit to remove the mud or to polish the ball is common and is allowed.

Why is sweat or spit used?

• The sweat or spit is used to make the ball look shiny. 
• The technique is used by the bowlers after the ball gets older, mostly after 35 overs. 
• The sweat or spit is used to make one side shiny and the other side rough.

Physics behind using sweat or spit

• The swing of the ball depends on three factors namely climatic conditions, shiny side and behaviour of the pitch. 
• The science of shiny side is applied in using sweat or spit.
• The cricket ball creates turbulence as its swings. 
• In conventional swing, ball moves towards the side of greater turbulence. 
• On the other hand, during reverse swing, it goes other way. 
• Therefore, the bowler polishes one side of the ball to make it reverse swing. 
• This is done to create challenging conditions for the batsman.

Legislation

• Under subsection 3 of the Laws of Cricket the ball shall be polished without use of artificial substances. 
• It can be dried with towel to remove the mud in the ball.