5 instances of ball tampering that impacted World Cricket

Allegations of ball tampering are not always in black and white. There have been instances where cricketers have chosen to not contest an allegation in order to avoid a heftier fine which comes with disputing it. South African legend Barry Richards has called for legalizing ball tampering in order to weigh the scales fairly between batting and bowling. The question of is legality is a philosophical debate at this point as ball tampering is an illegal activity. Here is a look at 5 shocking instances of ball tampering in international cricket.

#1 Shahid Afridi can\'t resist the smell

Shahid Afridi, sampling the smell

Shahid Afridi captained Pakistan vs Australia in an ODI in January 2010 and received a two match ban for allegations of ball tampering. Apparently Afridi found that the ball held too grand an allure for his olfactory lobes. Here's his defense against the tampering charges: “I tried to smell it. There was some things on it that I tried to move."

His actions confounded the then Pakistani team coach Intikhab Alam as well, who wondered "Why he was acting like he's eating an apple?"

Denial was Afridi's first response. Later he commented "There is no team in the world that doesn't tamper with the ball. My methods were wrong. I am embarrassed, I shouldn't have done it. I just wanted to win us a game but this was the wrong way to do it.” After denial and rationalizing, in the third stage he tenders an unconditional apology. Afridi said “I don’t know what happened to me that made me do such a mad thing. It was not right and I apologise for my actions to everyone. What happened was very unfortunate and should not have happened. I have learnt from my mistake and will not repeat it again."

At that time Australia needed 35 runs of 30 balls with three wickets remaining. The ball being replaced and the captain being rattled would have swung momentum against Pakistan as they went on to lose.

#2 Rahul Dravid and the sweets

Rahul Dravid charged with ball tampering

In a series vs Zimbabwe in 2004, Rahul Dravid was charged with ball tampering. Dravid was chewing a sticky sweet and some colour had rubbed off on his hands. When he handled the ball he saw discoloration on it and attempted to wipe it off. Dravid could have perhaps avoided this incident had he just told the umpire that he's cleaning the ball. Or perhaps the umpire could have chosen to go by the spirit of the law rather than the letter of the law in judging the incident. Either way, Dravid did end up with this one blot on his otherwise spotless resume.

Another theory has it that Dravid attempted to add shine to the ball. In his autobiography Marcus Trescothick has said "It had been common knowledge in county cricket for some time that certain sweets produced saliva which, when applied to the ball for cleaning purposes, enabled it to keep its shine for longer and therefore its swing." Regardless of if it was an honest mistake or not, Dravid did not contest the charge and was fined 50% of the match fees.

#3 Sachin Tendulkar accused in 2001

Sachin Tendulkar said of the incident “I’m not a cheat.”

In a Test match against South Africa in 2001 Tendulkar was handed a one match ban by English umpire Mike Denness and fined 75% of the match fees. Tendulkar insists in his autobiography that he had merely used his “thumb to clean grass off the seam.” He added that “I had always played cricket with integrity and honesty and would never do such a thing.” He admits that his mistake lay in not informing the on-field umpires that he was cleaning the seam before doing it. He asked Denness to speak to the other umpires if the ball had been tampered with because they had checked the ball every couple of overs, but Denness said there was no need for that since Sachin admitted he was trying to clean the seam of the ball.

The resulting uproar in India was anything but mild. The Indian board later refused to accept Denness as the match referee for the following third test against South Africa. Six Indian players had been handed suspension bans by him in total. Sachin for tampering and others for excessive appealing. All six players were charged 75% of their match fees. Denness’ effigy was burned on the streets in India. The Third test was declared unofficial as India fielded a reserve team and Denness being out of the series.

Later the ICC absolved Tendulkar of the charges. Tendulkar and Dravid are stalwarts of the gentleman's sport on, both on and off the field. It is surprising that the both have been accused of ball tampering. In both cases, it is easy to give the benefit of doubt to the two legends. As their actions apparently didn't give any advantage to them anyway.

#4 Australia accuses South Africa of tampering

AB De Villiers denied allegations of ball tampering

Australia were chasing a score of 448 vs South Africa. The chase came up short as they got all out at 216 thanks in part to Dale Steyn. But it left David Warner skeptical. He said "We were actually questioning whether or not (wicketkeeper) AB de Villiers would get the ball in his hand and, with his glove, wipe the rough side every ball. That's another thing we have to try to bring up with the umpires."

The South African manager wasn't having any of it however. "It smacks of sour grapes and it could just be a tactical plan to get us involved in matters that will distract our attention from this crucial test in Cape Town," said Proteas manager Mohammed Moosagee. Coach Russell Domingo dismissed the allegations stating that South Africa "prided on playing cricket honestly." De Villiers insisted that tampering is something he’d never stoop to.

South Africa were accused back in 2013 as well when Faf du Plessis pleaded no contest to charges of ball tampering.

#5 Pakistan walk off the field in 2006

It is rare when the umpires say enough is enough and walk away

In the fourth Test between Pakistan and England in 2006, Pakistan were accused of tampering and 5 runs were awarded to England. Pakistan team didn't agree with the decision and in a bizzare occurance refused to return to the field after tea. This was the first instance in over 130 years where a Test match had been called off because of an impasse between players and officials.

As Pakistan refused to take to the field at the scheduled time, when they emerged later the umpires removed the bails and left the field with the England batsmen.

Later in a statement read by David Collier, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, it was confirmed that everyone was ready to resume the game except the umpires.