Top 10 Controversies Happened in the History of Cricket
Well, cricket is one of the most popular games, and it’s also called the gentleman’s game. But over the years, the game has seen moments that were anything but gentlemanly. From match-fixing scandals to shocking acts of poor sportsmanship, these controversies have left an indelible mark on cricket’s legacy. So let’s dive into the Top 10 Controversies Happened in the History of Cricket.
Top 10 Controversies Happened in the History of Cricket
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1️⃣ Bodyline Series – England vs Australia (1932–33)
When: (1932–33) Ashes Series
Where: Australia
England arrived in Australia with one goal — to stop the unstoppable Don Bradman, who had averaged almost 100 in previous series. Under captain Douglas Jardine, England employed the now-infamous Bodyline tactic: bowlers aimed short-pitched deliveries directly at the batsman’s body with fielders packed around the leg side.
The move, led by fast bowler Harold Larwood, was legal but deeply dangerous. Australian batsmen suffered bruises and fear became part of the game. Local crowds booed English players, and Australian newspapers called the tactic “unsporting warfare.”
The situation escalated so much that it caused diplomatic tension between the British and Australian governments. The Australian Cricket Board even sent a formal protest to the MCC.
In the end, the Bodyline strategy worked — England won the series — but at a massive reputational cost. The incident led the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to modify the rules to prevent bowlers from using similar intimidatory tactics again.
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2️⃣ Underarm Bowling Incident – Australia vs New Zealand (1981)
When: February 1, 1981
Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia
One of cricket’s most disgraceful acts occurred during an ODI final between Australia and New Zealand. With New Zealand needing six runs from the final ball to tie, Australian captain Greg Chappell instructed his brother Trevor Chappell to bowl underarm — rolling the ball along the pitch to make a six impossible.
The crowd was stunned into silence. New Zealand’s Brian McKechnie blocked the delivery in anger, and commentator Richie Benaud condemned the act on live television, calling it “the most disgraceful thing I have ever seen.”
Even Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser criticized his team, saying, “It was against the spirit of the game.”
Public outrage followed. The incident led to the ICC officially banning underarm bowling, ensuring no one could ever repeat such a move again. The match remains a stain on Australian cricket’s proud history.
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3️⃣ Hansie Cronje Match-Fixing Scandal (2000)
When: April 2000
Where: Exposed during South Africa’s tour of India
Cricket’s integrity took a devastating blow when Delhi Police revealed that South African captain Hansie Cronje had links with Indian bookmakers. The police released recorded phone calls in which Cronje discussed throwing matches for money.
Initially, Cronje denied all allegations, but as evidence piled up, he broke down and confessed: “The devil made me do it.”
Cronje admitted to taking over $100,000 in bribes to manipulate match outcomes and influence other players. The King Commission in South Africa investigated, leading to his lifetime ban from cricket.
Cronje’s downfall stunned the cricket world because he had been considered one of the most respected captains. His tragic death in a plane crash two years later left fans wondering if more secrets died with him.
The scandal became the turning point for cricket’s anti-corruption efforts, prompting the ICC to form the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) to monitor player conduct.
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4️⃣ Ball-Tampering Controversy – Pakistan at The Oval (2006)
When: August 20, 2006
Where: The Oval, London
During the fourth Test between England and Pakistan, umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove accused Pakistan of ball tampering. They awarded five penalty runs to England and changed the ball.
Feeling insulted by the accusation, captain Inzamam-ul-Haq refused to take the field after the tea break in protest. The umpires declared the match forfeited — the first time in 129 years of Test cricket that such a decision was made.
The incident caused outrage in Pakistan. Inzamam was charged with bringing the game into disrepute but later cleared. Darrell Hair, however, faced immense criticism for his handling of the situation and was eventually dropped from the ICC’s elite umpiring panel.
The controversy reignited discussions about fairness, cultural sensitivity, and the treatment of Asian teams by Western officials.
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5️⃣ Monkeygate Scandal – India vs Australia (2008)
When: January 2008
Where: Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia
During the fiery 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, tension between India and Australia reached its peak when spinner Harbhajan Singh was accused by the Australians of racially abusing Andrew Symonds by calling him a “monkey.”
The allegation led to Harbhajan being banned for three Tests. The Indian team, led by Anil Kumble, strongly protested, calling it a false and unfair charge. The BCCI even threatened to abandon the tour unless the ban was lifted.
After a lengthy hearing and lack of concrete evidence, the ICC reduced the charge to verbal abuse and lifted the ban.
The Sydney Test itself was already controversial due to poor umpiring decisions that heavily favored Australia, leading Kumble to famously say, “Only one team played in the spirit of the game.”
This incident permanently altered India–Australia relations and forced the ICC to strengthen its anti-racism code of conduct.
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6️⃣ Spot-Fixing Scandal – Pakistan Players (2010)
When: August 2010
Where: Lord’s, London
In a shocking revelation by News of the World, an undercover sting operation exposed Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir accepting money from a bookmaker to deliberately bowl no-balls during a Test match against England.
The evidence was undeniable — marked banknotes, hidden cameras, and recorded calls proved the corruption. The trio was immediately suspended and later found guilty by a London court in 2011.
Salman Butt received a 10-year ban, Asif 7 years, and Amir 5 years. All three were also sentenced to prison.
This scandal tarnished Pakistan’s cricket reputation worldwide and highlighted how young players could be exploited by corrupt networks.
The ICC implemented stricter anti-corruption monitoring, including education programs for players to identify and report suspicious approaches.
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7️⃣ Sandpapergate – Australia vs South Africa (2018)
When: March 2018
Where: Cape Town, South Africa
The cricketing world was left in disbelief when television cameras caught Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to rough up the ball’s surface during the third Test between Australia and South Africa.
It was soon revealed that the plan was orchestrated by captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner to gain reverse swing.
The footage went viral, triggering an immediate and furious backlash. Even Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull condemned the act, saying, “This has been a shocking disappointment for Australia.”
Cricket Australia responded swiftly — Smith and Warner were banned for 12 months, Bancroft for 9 months. Coach Darren Lehmann also resigned amid the fallout.
The scandal forced Australian cricket to conduct a complete cultural review, revealing a “win-at-all-costs” mindset that had eroded team values.
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8️⃣ Muttiah Muralitharan’s No-Ball Controversy (1995)
When: December 1995
Where: Melbourne, Australia
During the Boxing Day Test, umpire Darrell Hair repeatedly called Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing. His unusual bowling action, caused by a congenital deformity, made his arm appear to straighten during delivery.
Sri Lanka’s captain Arjuna Ranatunga protested strongly, even threatening to pull his team off the field. The event created diplomatic tension between Australia and Sri Lanka.
Later, biomechanical tests proved that Muralitharan’s action was legitimate and that almost every bowler’s arm flexed slightly.
Muralitharan went on to become the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, proving his critics wrong.
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9️⃣ Daryl Harper Umpiring Row – India vs West Indies (2011)
When: June 2011
Where: Kingston, Jamaica
Indian players openly expressed frustration over umpire Daryl Harper’s decisions during the first Test against the West Indies. Several questionable LBW and caught-behind calls went against India, prompting media outrage.
Captain MS Dhoni remarked in the post-match interview that “some decisions were frustrating,” indirectly pointing fingers at Harper.
The criticism became so intense that Harper withdrew from officiating the next Test. The ICC defended him but later reviewed the match footage, finding multiple errors.
The incident renewed the debate about the Decision Review System (DRS), which India had initially opposed, and pushed for its wider acceptance in international cricket.
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🔟 IPL Spot-Fixing Scandal (2013)
When: May 2013
Where: India
The Indian Premier League (IPL), known for its glitz and glamour, faced a major crisis when Delhi police arrested S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan from the Rajasthan Royals for spot-fixing.
Further investigation revealed connections between players, bookies, and even team officials. Team owners like Gurunath Meiyappan (linked to Chennai Super Kings) were also accused of betting.
The BCCI reacted by banning the players for life and suspending Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for two years.
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Some Thoughts
Cricket’s controversies show that while the game brings nations together, it can also expose the flaws of human greed, pride, and politics. Each scandal — whether it was about cheating, racism, or corruption — forced the sport to evolve and adopt stricter ethical standards.
But it surpasses that and is still in the hearts of people as we enjoy the game. This was a post showcasing the negatives we see in cricket, but in the next one, we will show you how, at times, the people playing the sport show respect and sportsmanship.
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—DHANYAVAAD—