Cricket, often referred to as the "gentleman's game," has had its fair share of controversies over the years, and one of the most contentious issues that has plagued the sport is ball-tampering. Manipulating the condition of the cricket ball to gain an unfair advantage has sparked outrage and tarnished the reputation of players and teams alike.
Here, we delve into the top five ball-tampering incidents that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.
The Sandpaper Gate (2018):
The Ball-Tampering Controversy Forced 1st-ever Test Forfeiture (2006):
In a Test match between England and Pakistan at The Oval in August 2006,
Pakistan were accused of ball-tampering. Umpire Darrell Hair penalized Pakistan
by awarding England five penalty runs and offering them a new ball. Pakistan
refused to take the field after tea, and the match was awarded to England. It was a first-ever Test forfeiture. The
controversy erupted when television cameras captured footage of Pakistani players
allegedly using a metal object, believed to be a mint, to alter the condition
of the ball. The incident led to widespread condemnation and strained
diplomatic relations between the two cricketing nations.
The Lollygate (2016):
During a Test match between Australia and South Africa in Hobart in November
2016, South African captain Faf du Plessis was charged with ball-tampering
after he was seen shining the ball with mint saliva. Despite vehemently
denying any wrongdoing, du Plessis was found guilty and fined his match fee by
the International Cricket Council (ICC). The incident stirred controversy and
reignited debates surrounding the use of saliva and other substances to shine
the ball.
The Biting Incident (2010):
In another ball-tampering controversy involving Pakistan, former Pakistan
captain Shahid Afridi was seen biting the ball in an ODI against Australia at
the WACA in Perth. He was captaining the side in the absence of Mohammad
Yousuf, and he was banned for two games after this incident.
The Bottle Cap Gate (2019):
During a One-Day International (ODI) match between Pakistan and England at Trent Bridge in May 2019, a video surfaced on social media showing Pakistan bowler Wahab Riaz allegedly tampering with the ball using a bottle cap. The footage sparked widespread outrage and prompted an investigation by the ICC. However, Riaz denied any wrongdoing, attributing the incident to a misunderstanding. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, the controversy added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding ball-tampering in cricket.
