Kookaburra’s anti-virus ball

Australian cricket ball manufacturer Kookaburra is developing a wax applicator that allows players to shine the ball without using saliva or sweat, minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Rubbing spit or sweat into the ball's surface is expressly forbidden under Australian Institute of Sport guidelines released last week that set out the conditions for the game to resume. Cricket is suspended around the globe because of the pandemic and the wax applicator would need approval from governing bodies to be used when play resumes.

Kookaburra's innovation involves using a sponge to apply small amounts of wax to the ball.

Current laws forbid the use of artificial substances to alter the ball but there is a long history of tampering.