In cricket, ball tampering is a big offense. When caught, the player might harm their cricket career. Many cricketers have tried to scratch the ball in one way or another. Some try to rub the ball against their bandages, some try to put Vaseline on it, and others try different methods. They do this shamelessly on the field, knowing there are hundreds of cameras watching them. When they get caught, some shamelessly deny it, and some accept the charge. Below is the list of 10 famous ball-tampering incidents:
1. John Lever (1977)
In a test match between India and England in 1977, John Lever was found guilty of ball tampering. Known for his fast bowling and amazing spell, Lever rubbed the Vaseline on the ball for the ball to take a turn while bowling. When he got caught, he denied that he tampered with the ball and instead said that he applied the Vaseline under his eyes so that he would not sweat. He escaped freely from the incident, as no charges were against him.
2. Waqar Younis And Wasim Akram (1992)
A famous win for Pakistan in a test series against England on their home ground remains on the top of controversies in the cricket world. Younis and Akram took 43 wickets in the five-test series against England in 1992. The umpires and the media continuously blamed the duo for hidden ball tampering, but Akram denied the accusations, saying the English people were racist against them.
3. Chris Pringle (1990)
In a test match between New Zealand and Pakistan in 1990, New Zealand fast bowler Pringle was accused of using a bottle’s cap to change the ball’s condition without the umpires noticing him. Even though he took 11 wickets in the game, New Zealand ended up losing. Twenty years later, the wicketkeeper of the 1990s match admitted the incident.
4. Waqar Younis
Pakistan is quite famous for ball-tampering incidents in the cricket world. Many Pakistani cricketers choose the wrong way to win the game. In 2000, in an ODI match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Younis was accused of ball-tampering and was caught red-handed. He was fined 50 percent of his match fees, and the cricket board banned him from the next match.
5. Stuart Broad (2010)
In a test match between England and South Africa in 2010, Broad was seen stepping on the ball with his spiked boots and trying to tamper with the ball using his shoe spikes. When caught in action, he denied the accusation, saying he was lazy and picking up the ball. No charges were brought against him.
6. Sachin Tendulkar (2001)
Tendulkar is famous in the cricket world and many fans consider him like a god. Tendulkar was accused of ball tampering in a match between India and South Africa. Caught on camera, umpire Mike Denness charged Tendulkar. Tendulkar denied the accusation, saying he did not tamper with the ball and was just clearing the mud off the ball. The umpire did not change his decision, banned him from the next match, and fined Tendulkar 75 percent of his match fees.
7. Rahul Dravid (2004)
In a match between India and Zimbabwe back in 2004, Dravid was caught on camera while he was tampering with the ball by rubbing a tablet on it to change its seam. Clive Lloyd, the match referee, confirmed after watching the footage that Dravid deliberately tampered with the ball and fined him 50 percent of his match fees.
8. Imran Khan (1981)
Imran Khan, one of the most famous bowlers of his time, was often charged with ball tampering. It is written in his book that it was not wrong to do so and he brazenly did it again in 1981 while playing a country game. He is the only cricketer in history who does not consider ball tampering cheating and has openly accepted this in his biography.
9. Shahid Afridi (2010)
In an ODI match between Australia and Pakistan in 2010, Afridi was caught biting the ball twice on camera. The umpire informed the on-field umpire after watching the video and the ball was changed. Afridi was banned for the next two T20 games. He accepted his fault and pleaded guilty. In an interview, Afridi later said every team tampers with the ball, and he was just trying to help his bowler get wickets. He said he should not have tampered with the ball as it was the wrong way to win the match, and he would not repeat his mistake.
10. Faf du Plessis (2013)
In a test match between South Africa and Pakistan in 2013. Plessis was caught on camera rubbing the ball against his trouser zipper. He was fined 50 percent of his match fee and accepted his mistake, saying that he had made a mistake and would not repeat it in future.
