Top 10 Ball Tampering Incidents In Cricket History
In the wake of the recent ball-tampering incident during the Cape Town Test, let us look back to the 10 of the worst ball tampering incidents in cricket history. Incidents like these damage the spirit of the gentleman’s game.
Michael Atherton In 1994
England Captain Michael Atherton shook the cricketing world when he tried to alter the shape of the ball by tainting the ball with dust, which he filled in his pockets. The Test match, played at Lord's, was a historic one for South Africa, who were playing England for the first time in 29 years.
Atherton was on the brink of facing suspension following the shocking incident, but was lucky to have escaped axing. He was let off with a warning.
Inzamam-ul-Haq In 2006
During a Test between England and Pakistan, the umpires discovered that the Pakistan team had changed the condition of the ball. Following the discovery, Pakistan was docked five runs which it had to concede to England and a change of ball.
The Pakistan team refused to take field after the incident, and the match got forfeited, making it the first ever such match. Inzamam was later handed a ban for four matches.
Shahid Afridi In 2010
In a One Day International match between hosts Australia and Pakistan, the then Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi was caught biting the ball on camera. The TV umpire relayed the incident to the on-field umpires, who then changed the ball.
Although the Boom Boom player tried to cover up the issue saying he was trying to smell the ball, he was banned for two matches.
Sachin Tendulkar In 2001
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar was accused of ball-tampering during a Test in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Sachin was clearly caught removing a piece of grass from the ball.
The legendary batsman was suspended for a match following this incident.
Faf du Plessis In 2016
The South African player was caught in a ball-tampering incident in which he was accuded of using his saliva to alter the ball' shape during a Test match against Australia. This was the second time Du Plessis was found in such incident. Earlier in 2013, he was found scuffing the ball on the zip of his trousers against Pakistan.
The ICC levied a 100% fine on his match fees and gave three penalty points for his misconduct.
Chris Pringle In 1990
New Zealand bowler Chris Pringle was accused of using a bottle top to scratch the ball during a match against Pakistan. The bowler later admitted the mistake saying Pakistani players also resorted to using the same tactics.
Pringle was let off without any punishment after the incident.
Waqar Younis In 2000
The iconic Pakistan fast bowler was the first player in the history of international cricket to be charged with any kind of punishment for ball-tampering. In a limited overs match in Sri Lanka, Waqar was accused of using his fingernails to change the ball's condition on one side of the ball.
TV footage showed Waqar using his fingernails to take advantage. He was fined 50% of his match fees.
Shoaib Akhtar In 2003
The Pakistani bowler was involved in a a ball tampering incident when he was found scratching the ball's surface during a match against New Zealand.
The fiery pace bowler was banned for two matches for his misconduct in the incident.
Rahul Dravid In 2004
The Wall was found guilty of applying lozenge on the ball in a match against Zimbabwe in Australia. Later, Dravid was charged as the incident was clearly caught on TV and the match referee called it a breach of the code of conduct.
The former Indian captain was fined 50% of his match fees.
Stuart Broad In 2010
In a test match against hosts South Africa, England bowler Stuart Broad stepped on the ball with spikes on his boot. Broad denied tampering the ball and complained of being lazy due to extreme heat.
Despite complaint from the South African team, Broad was not given any punsishment for the act.
Also Read: Emotional Steve Smith Seeks Forgiveness, Hopes To Earn Back Respect
