7 instances when Australia brought disrepute to the game of cricket 

#4 Monkeygate, Sydney (2008)

Harbhajan Singh (right) was reported by Ricky Ponting (left) for racial abuse to Andrew Symonds

The Sydney Test match of 2008 would perhaps go down as the darkest in Australian and world cricket’s history. In a match that suffered from poor sportsmanship, grace and umpiring decisions, Australia went 2-0 up in the 4-match series against India. Australian skipper Ricky Ponting’s integrity was questioned severely when he didn’t walk after being dismissed, claiming two ‘on-the-bounce catches’, celebrating wildly and more so reporting his then-nemesis Harbhajan Singh to the umpires for racial abuse.

Apparently, Harbhajan had used a Hindi abusive word for Andrew Symonds, who had few words of his own to say before that. Unfortunately, that word was considered to be the English one called a monkey. All hell broke loose as India found more supporters and Sachin Tendulkar had to be the witness, for he was Harbhajan’s batting partner during the incident.

Nevertheless, many believed that Ponting’s captaincy was untenable for the team’s behavior in general. Indian captain Anil Kumble’s famous words ‘Only one team was playing in the spirit of the game’ summed up all the drama.

Eventually, Harbhajan’s punishment was downgraded from a 3-Test ban to a fine. It is believed that following a defeat in the next game at Perth, Australian cricket began to crack as Ponting rued the cricket board’s lack of support for his teammate and he couldn’t get along well with the top board authorities on several issues.