WATCH: Glenn Phillips appears to apply saliva on ball during first Test between BAN vs NZ

In a rare incident during the ongoing first Bangladesh vs New Zealand Test in Sylhet, all-rounder Glenn Phillips was captured on TV footage seemingly applying saliva to the cricket ball. This occurred on the third day when Phillips appeared to shine the ball with saliva after delivering the first ball of the 34th over. 

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Despite the incident, no action was taken by the on-field umpires. However, Bangladesh team manager Nafees Iqbal confirmed that they had informed the fourth umpire about the breach of the rule after reviewing the footage. The Apex Cricket Council (ACC) implemented a ban on the application of saliva in cricket when the sport resumed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This rule became effective in October 2022.

 “When cricket resumed following the onset of Covid-19, playing conditions were written in most forms of the game stating that applying saliva to the ball was no longer permitted. MCC’s research found that this had little or no impact on the amount of swing the bowlers were getting. Players were using sweat to polish the ball, and this was equally effective. The new Laws will not permit the use of saliva on the ball, which also removes any grey areas of fielders eating sugary sweets to alter their saliva to apply to the ball. Using saliva will be treated the same way as any other unfair methods of changing the condition of the ball,” states law 41.3.

Watch the video here:

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Did Glenn Phillips use saliva to shine the ball?🤔

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.#BANvNZ pic.twitter.com/NjYGLkVt6S

— FanCode (@FanCode) November 30, 2023

In a previous ODI between Nepal and UAE last year, Alishan Sharafu was found to have violated the rule, leading to Nepal being awarded five penalty runs. Phillips played a pivotal role with the ball for New Zealand in the first Test, securing four wickets as Bangladesh was dismissed for 310.

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New Zealand surpassed Bangladesh's total to take a seven-run lead

Despite scoring a formidable first innings total and restricting the Kiwis to 175/5 in their first innings, Bangladesh let New Zealand take a lead of seven runs in the first innings. The star with the bat for ensuring New Zealand fought back was Glenn Phillips (42), Kyle Jamieson (23) and Tim Southee (35). In reply to this, the host put up a spirited effort in their second innings. 

The skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto played a brilliant knock of 105 runs and was well supported by former Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim who played a brilliant knock of 67 runs. In addition to this, with the help of valiant effort from Mehidy Hasan Miraz at one end made sure that Bangladesh gave a competitive total to the visitors to chase down. Bangladesh ended their second innings at 338/10 giving New Zealand a stiff target of 322 runs to chase down.