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Top 10 Hugely Controversial Moments in World Cricket History

Published

3 years ago

August 24, 2021

Top 10 Hugely Controversial Moments in World Cricket History

Cricket is not always such a gentlemanly game, with players, coaches and others often getting involved in unsavoury incidents that do not show the sport or themselves in a good light.

From match-fixing to fights, from ball tampering to arguments and everything in between, cricket has seen just about everything over the past few centuries.

One recent controversy was the no-balling of Muttiah Muralitharan in the 1995 Boxing Day Test for throwing, something that is still a hot topic to this day.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at 10 controversial moments in the history of cricket, some of which have lasted long in the memory.

Hansie Cronje Match-Fixing (2000)

Perhaps one of the most infamous episodes in the sport’s history came in South Africa, when Proteas captain Hansie Cronje conspired with a bookmaker to engineer a result in a Test.

That game, against England at Centurion in 2000, was lauded at the time for its positive thinking and attempts to entertain after three days were lost to rain.

However, Cronje’s involvement in match-fixing came to light a few months later, and he resigned in disgrace before being banned from the sport for life.

Michael Atherton’s ‘Dirt in the Pocket’ (1995)

South Africa were back at Lord’s for the first time since being reintegrated into international cricket, but their great day was overshadowed by a member of the home side.

England captain Michael Atherton was caught on camera appearing to alter the condition of the ball, but he denied all knowledge of deliberately tampering with it.

He was eventually fined for his misconduct, and the incident left a sour taste in many mouths.

Darrell Hair No-Balls Muttiah Muralitharan (1995)

In the Boxing Day Test of 1995, umpire Darrell Hair called seven no-balls on Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in the space of three overs.

Hair believed the off-spinner was deliberately throwing the ball, and it incensed Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga so much that he took his players off the pitch temporarily.

It was not the last time Muralitharan was called for throwing by an umpire, but after ICC testing, his arm was shown to be flexed within the legal limit of 15 degrees.

Mike Denness vs. India (2001)

Match referee Mike Denness came in for some heavy criticism in 2001, as he banned six India players after what he deemed to be bad behaviour in their Test away to South Africa.

The most notable was Sachin Tendulkar, who was charged with ball tempering and suspended for one game.

That accusation was the most controversial, with Denness and the ICC being accused of racism and a bias against India.

Denness was removed as match referee for the following game, and the match was deemed as an unofficial Test in the aftermath.

Pakistan Spot-Fixing (2010)

In 2010, the world of cricket was shaken to its very foundations as three Pakistan cricketers—Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt—were implicated for spot-fixing.

After a sting by the News of the World, the three were found to have conspired to deliberately bowl no balls during a Test against England at The Oval.

They were all banned for varying amounts of time for one of the biggest scandals to hit Test cricket in recent years.

Cricket World Cup Boycotts of Zimbabwe and Kenya (2003)

As the 2003 Cricket World Cup arrived in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya, there were serious concerns raised about the latter two countries for various reasons.

Zimbabwe’s human rights abuses were well documented, and after long discussions, England boycotted their game in the country, a decision that cost them dearly as they were knocked out.

In addition, fears over security in Kenya led New Zealand to forfeit their game, which cost the Black Caps points and helped the Kenyans reach the semifinals.

Steve Bucknor Sacked from Umpiring Test Match (2008)

On their tour of Australia in the 2007-08 season, India objected to a number of the decisions made by umpire Steve Bucknor in Sydney.

Still one of the most respected umpires in the game, it was a surprise when Bucknor was removed from the third Test in Perth at the request of India’s cricket board. It was unprecedented, and he would retire in early 2009 after a long career in the game.

Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh Race Row (2008)

During that Sydney game, Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh were involved in a spat at the wicket, with Symonds accusing Harbhajan of using a racist term towards him.

Harbhajan was banned for three games but later acquitted at an ICC hearing, and it came as part of a tense series, with neither side coming out well in this particular incident.

Tony Greig: ‘I Intend to Make Them Grovel’ (1976)

Tony Greig- I Intend to Make Them Grovel (1976)

England captain Tony Greig was unconvinced by the West Indies in the buildup to their 1976 Test series, and made a comment he would live to regret before it began.

He said that he wanted to make the West Indians “grovel” on BBC’s Sportsnight (h/t ESPN) an unfortunate turn of phrase that conjured up images of slavery. It served as a great motivator for the West Indies, who won handily 3-0.

Ricky Ponting Run out by Gary Pratt (2005)

During the 2005 Ashes series, England made liberal use of fielding substitutions against Australia, especially for their tired bowlers.

Things came to a head when Baggy Green captain Ricky Ponting was run out by one of those substitutes, Durham’s Gary Pratt and let forth a tirade of abuse.

Ponting directed his frustrations at England coach Duncan Fletcher, who smiled back, with the Australian seemingly unaware that Simon Jones was off the field for a serious injury.