Philander, Southee Back Shami’s Plea To ICC To Lift Ban On Usage Of Saliva

Former South Africa seamer Vernon Philander and former New Zealand paceman Tim Southee have backed India’s pacer Mohammed Shami’s plea to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the removal of the ban on the usage of saliva on ball so that the bowlers can once again generate reverse swing. 

The ICC banned bowlers from using saliva during the COVID-19 pandemic and made the ban permanent in September 2022. 

“We are trying (to get reverse swing), but the usage of saliva on the ball is not allowed," said Shami after India beat Australia in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 

“We keep appealing that we should be allowed to use saliva so that we can bring reverse swing back into the game and it becomes interesting."

Talking on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day, Southee said: “That was a rule brought around Covid with the virus going around the world, but I think as a bowler, you want to have a slight advantage.

“We see the game going the way it’s going and seeing sides score 362 and more often than not over 300 in this format. I think there needs to be something in the bowlers’ favour, and whether that’s a little bit of saliva, then yeah, I don’t see why they couldn’t afford to get that back in."

Philander, too, backed Southee and Shami, saying: “I’d like to see that element being brought back into the game because I think it’s needed as well. 

“I mean, especially in ODI cricket where we see batters really dominating, especially when you play on surfaces like we’ve just seen in Pakistan as well where it’s really batter friendly."