5 biggest controversies in New Zealand cricket

One cricketing nation that is hardly ever associated with controversies is New Zealand and over the course of their history, the Kiwis have almost always been regarded as a non-controversial side.

That may be true but it is also hard for a team to play international cricket for so many years and not be embroiled in some controversies.

Like so many other cricket teams in the world, New Zealand have also had their fair share of controversies over the past decades and many of them will forever be remembered for being inglorious episodes in the history of a proud cricketing nation.

That being said, it is also important to point out that New Zealand’s history is not nearly as chequered as those of some other cricketing nations.

However, it will still be interesting to have a look at some of the biggest controversies that have plagued New Zealand cricket in its history.

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#5 Jesse Ryder and the bottle

Although it is true that a roaring drinking culture existed in top-level cricket for a long time, modern cricketers are a completely different bunch. Although they might enjoy the odd drink, they generally stay away from it simply due to the fitness demands of the modern game.

One of the biggest exceptions to that rule is New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder, who has been involved in a series of alcohol-related incidents and eventually, his attachment to the bottle completely derailed his career.

His problems with alcohol first surfaced in the public domain in 2008, when he was injured while trying to break the window of a toilet in a bar in Christchurch.

The team was at the bar to celebrate a series win against England. It affected his cricket and in 2009, the cricket board had to issue a statement confirming that Ryder had given up on alcohol altogether.

Even Ross Taylor stated that the team will support Ryder in his quest to kick the habit. However, none of it helped in any way and he lurched from one alcohol-fuelled misdemeanor to another.

The final straw came in 2013 when Ryder was assaulted outside a bar in Christchurch and had to be put into a coma.

He was a hugely talented batsman but his problem with the bottle remains one of the most sordid and controversial episodes in New Zealand’s cricket history.

#4 Glenn Turner’s spat with Ian Chappell

Glenn Turner was the first great batsman that New

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Glenn Turner was the first great batsman that New Zealand produced and he went on to become one of the most iconic cricketers to have ever played for the country.

So, when the country’s greatest cricketer at the time has a spat with another iconic cricket from neighbouring Australia, then it does become a big controversy in its own right.

Ian Chappell was well known for being a bit of an abrasive character and it seems the pair ran into each other during the course of a Test match.

However, there are two separate versions of the event, one narrated by Turner and the other by Chappell.

The New Zealand legend said that during a passage of play, the Australian captain had started abusing the umpire and hence, Turner intervened. When he did so, Chappell started abusing him as well.

However, Chappell responded to the allegations by sending an e-mail to the website which published Turner’s claims and called them ‘Turner’s lies’.

Chappell said that he had written about it in his autobiography and he stated that he was having a word with the umpire when Turner intervened in the discussion. That is when Chappell asked him to stay out of it.

The truth perhaps will never be known but it remains a controversial chapter in New Zealand’s cricket history due to the stature of the individual concerned.

#3 Stephen Fleming and Co caught smoking cannabis

Stephen Fleming was embroiled in a controversy that threatened to hamper his promising career

He has gone on to become one of the most respected leaders and statesmen in international cricket but back in 1994, Stephen Fleming was embroiled in a controversy that threatened to hamper his promising career and tarnish New Zealand cricket at large.

Fleming was only 21 years old when New Zealand went to their tour of South Africa and it was during that tour that he was caught smoking cannabis with a bunch of other team-mates.

However, it needs to be stressed that the former New Zealand captain was not the only one involved in the sordid affair.

Fast bowler Dion Nash and left-arm spinner Matthew Hart were also in on the act. Perhaps the most interesting bit about the whole incident is that it was Danny Morrison who alerted the team management about the whole affair.

Nash said that he simulated the action and did not actually inhale, but they were all fined $175.

Fleming claimed that the incident hit him the hardest as he had to spend a lot of money on lawyers and in addition to that, he lost out on sponsorship deals.

#2 Ross Taylor-Brendon McCullum Cold War

The unseemly controversy that erupted between Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum remains a hugely controversial chapter in the country’s cricket history

They were two of New Zealand’s most influential cricketers for much of their career and responsible for many memorable victories, but things came to a pass over the issue of captaincy.

The unseemly controversy that erupted between Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum remains a hugely controversial chapter in the country’s cricket history.

It all started when New Zealand had to choose a captain following the retirement of Daniel Vettori and the board asked the two most experienced players to present their ideas.

Eventually, it was Taylor who was chosen as the captain. Later on, McCullum wrote in his book that ‘Declared’ that the nature of the process wasn’t perfect and suggested that the public rejection of one over the other wasn’t good for the relationship between the two.

The problems between the two first came out in the open when McCullum (who had been rested) had been summoned to rush to the West Indies and captain the side since Taylor had suffered an injury.

However, it was Kane Williamson who stepped in as captain despite the fact that the former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman had reached on time. At the same time, New Zealand’s performances under Taylor had become embarrassing and the batsman’s time as captain was coming to an end.

The final event that fully confirmed that the two men did not see eye to eye was when Taylor refused the split captaincy arrangement.

McCullum was supposed to lead the limited overs sides, while the middle-order batsman was supposed to be in charge of the Test side.

When he refused, the cricket board made McCullum the captain across formats and the issue was finally settled. It remains among the most controversial episodes in New Zealand’s cricket history.

#1 Chris Cairns and the match-fixing affair

McCullum stated that he had been approached by Cairns for fixing games

It is unlikely that New Zealand cricket will be dragged through the mud in the same way ever again and that makes the whole Chris Cairns match-fixing affair such a sordid one.

Cairns was one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played for New Zealand and following his retirement, he played in the now defunct Indian Cricket League.

Former commissioner of the Indian Premier League Lalit Modi alleged that Cairns, who captained the team Chandigarh Lions was involved in match-fixing and hence he had kept the Kiwi out of IPL.

Cairns sued him successfully and in 2012, he was awarded damages and legal costs by a court in London. However, it was not all over.

Modi wasn’t giving up and when it emerged that former New Zealand batsman had been part of Cairns’ alleged ‘match-fixing ring’, a case of perjury was brought upon the former all-rounder.

Lou Vincent readily admitted to everything but the earth-shaking news from the trial was that active New Zealand captain McCullum had agreed to testify against Cairns.

He stated that he had been approached by Cairns for fixing games. Despite all that, Cairns was acquitted and McCullum’s testimony came to nothing.

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