Black Caps allrounder Glenn Phillips has been caught on camera appearing to break the laws of the game during the third day of the first Test against Bangladesh overnight.
Phillips was seen applying saliva to the ball before bowling it in the 34th over of Bangladesh's second innings in Sylhet.
Applying saliva to the ball was a common practice until it was outlawed by the MCC last year amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Law 41.3 of the game, put into effect on October 1, 2022, says: "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."
On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Paul Reiffel did not intervene or take any action at the time.
Speaking after the day's play, Bangladesh team manager Nafees Iqbal said he had seen the footage and informed the fourth umpire.
In a statement to ESPNCricinfo, the ICC said it was up to match officials to "deal with on-field incidents, and we don't give statements".
Bangladesh took control of the Test match thanks to a century by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, as New Zealand's bowlers looked toothless.
The home side were 212-3 at stumps with a lead of 205.
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