Clarification of Artificial Substance:
ICC laws for ball tampering clearly states that players should not use artificial substance to shine the ball. Clause 2.2.9 of the ICC's Code of Conduct is related to changing condition of ball. To further clarify this law, artificial substance should not be directly applied to the ball to tamper the condition of the ball. The laws of Cricket do allow players to shine the ball with sweat or spit; "polish the ball provided that no artificial substance is used and that such polishing wastes no time". However, there is no clarity what constitutes an artificial substance. Issue of ball tampering using artificial substance has been raised in the past but no clarity about law has been given by Cricket Law makers. There is no reference to proven research of how an artificial substance can effect condition of the ball. And there is no research about composition of artificial substance. No one knows how much of sweetener can be mixed with saliva before it can be applied to ball and what should be composition of artificial substance that players are allowed to chew or suck on it. If we strictly follow Cricket Law 42.3 then no player are allowed to have lollies or chewing gum and no players are allowed to drink anything apart from water.
Artificial Sweetener in Players Mouth:
Players are often seen having lollies, gums and mint in their mouth while on the field, they drink energy drink and electrolytes to give them energy boost and keep their body hydrated. Players have got sunscreen on their skin, especially their face. Sunscreen is classified as artificial substance and sunscreen mixed with sweat is directly applied to the ball by players to give it a shine. ICC can not stop players from eating lollies or drinking sugary drinks. However, players are not allowed to deliberately apply any such substance directly to the ball. ICC chief executive David Richardson said, "ICC does not wish to prevent players from using these substances for legitimate purposes. However, any deliberate attempt to apply such substances to the ball, as was the case here, will not be acceptable". There is always a chance that saliva from players mouth will contain some sweetener from lollies or gums but ICC is not too strict about it. ICC will only take action if it is obvious that artificial substance is used for such particular purpose of shining the ball.
Players Fined for Applying Artificial Substance to Ball:
In past, players have been fined for applying artificial substance directly on to the ball. Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid was fined 50% of match fee when he took lozenge out of his mouth and directly applied it to the ball. Former Australian bowler Nathan Bracken said, “Every team has lollies and things like that, we had all our lollies checked before the first game to make sure there was nothing illegal that we had". Sourav Ganguly said that, "du Plessis, is not the first person who has done it and I don't think he will be the last". Matt Prior said on twitter, "It is actually just accepted and isn't a big deal". I believe those who were caught and punished were just unlucky, everyone does it but only those gets punished who gets caught.
It is believed that sugary saliva can generate better shine on the ball than normal saliva. David Warner applies lip balm and then receive ball after the next delivery to polish it. Kohli also rub something close to his teeth and then polish the ball - sourced from espncricinfo. I believe ICC only takes action if they suspect players are intentionally applying artificial sweetener to the ball to give it a shine. Faf du Plessis was reported by media after conclusion of Hobart test when he had mint on his tongue and he applied saliva from his mouth directly to the ball. It was so obvious breach of ICC code of conduct and against cricket laws that ICC had to fine him.
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