The use of saliva (spit) on the cricket ball has been banned for several seasons now by Law 41.3.
It is a serious Level 3 Code of Behaviour breach.
The most common excuse when players get caught is “I didn’t know.” Well, now you do know.
QSDCA Secretary
Saliva (that's spit) on the ball is not allowed.
Since Season 2022/23 Law 41.3 says
No Saliva (spit) on the ball.
This includes directly e.g. licking the ball or indirectly e.g. via fingers
- Use of saliva on the ball can lead to:
- Ball replacement
- The award of 5 penalty runs to the batting side
- A Conducts report.
- If it happens again, more penalty runs, report and Bowler suspended for the rest of the match.
Sweat is allowed to be used to shine the ball.
Other things which cannot be used:
- any artificial substance (eg. car wax, sunscreen, lollies, bottle tops)
- any bodily substance other than sweat (eg. earwax, elbow grease, snot, spit, anything else)
- too much time (i.e. no time wasting)
Removing mud or use of a drying cloth requires umpire’s permission.
See Law 41.3.2