Throughout cricket's history, there have been multiple major controversies around ball-tampering. Here are the most famous ones in the last 50 years.
The Test match between India and England at Lord's has hit controversy. Some photographs of England players have gone viral on social media, sparking a debate around ball-tampering. The ball appears to be under the feet of the players in these photographs, prompting fans to accuse the England team of ball tampering. The players' shoes have spikes in them that can tamper with the ball.
Throughout cricket's history, there were multiple examples of ball tampering. Here are some of the most famous ball tampering controversies.
1. Vaseline Incident, 1977
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In the third Test against India in Chennai in 1977, England fast bowler John Lever was accused of smearing Vaseline on the ball. Bishan Singh Bedi, the Indian captain at the time, had filed a complaint against it. Vaseline was discovered on the ball during the inquiry.
Pic courtesy: Twitter/ @icc
2. ‘Dirt in Pocket’ Affair, 1994
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Michael Atherton, England's captain at the time, was also charged with ball tampering in 1994. In the Test match against South Africa at Lord's, TV showed England captain Atherton rubbing dust from his pocket on the ball. Atherton stated that he had no idea whether or not it was a crime. He was fined £2,000 and the incident sparked widespread outrage in the British media.
Pic courtesy: cricket.com.au
3. Biting the Ball Incident, 2010
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During Pakistan's 2009-10 tour of Australia, Shahid Afridi was caught tampering with the ball during an ODI in Perth. In the one-day match against Australia, he chewed the ball with his teeth in an attempt to ruin the form of the ball. Afridi received a two-match suspension.
4. Rubbing the ball on the trouser zip, 2013
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Faf du Plessis, the captain of South Africa, has been accused of ball tampering twice. du Plessis was seen brushing a zip of his pants on the ball during the test match against Pakistan. For the second time, he was seen rubbing chewing gum on the ball. Punished for his action, Faf's half-match fee being withdrawn.
5. Australian Ball-tampering Scandal, 2018
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This incident of ball tampering by Australian players shocked the cricket world. In the third Test against South Africa in March 2018, Australia players Steve Smith (then captain), David Warner (then vice-captain), and Cameron Bancroft (top-order batsman) were caught tampering with the ball. All three took responsibility for their actions and were banned from playing international cricket for a year.
6. Ball tampering that was not, 2006
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There have been instances where players have been mistakenly accused of tampering with the ball. 15 years ago at the Oval during a Test match between Pakistan and England, Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove granted England five penalty runs for alleged ball-tampering by Pakistan in the match.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq retaliated by refusing to return to the field after the tea break. As a result, England was adjudged to have won. Pakistan was later ruled not guilty of ball tampering by the ICC (International Cricket Council). The match was then called as a draw.
