25 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 25 controversial moments in the history of cricket, some of which have lasted long in the memory.

1. Hansie Cronje Match-Fixing (2000)

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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.

2. Bodyline (1932-33)

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One of the biggest controversies to this day was the Bodyline series between Australia and England in 1932-33, notable for the visitors’ use of short-pitched bowling.

Led by captain Douglas Jardine, the English fast bowlers roughed up their opposition with a view to breaking the dominance of Don Bradman, Australia’s best ever batsman.

They succeeded, but almost caused an international incident as they won the series 4-1.

3. Michael Atherton’s 'Dirt in the Pocket' (1995)

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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.

4. Darrell Hair No-Balls Muttiah Muralitharan (1995)

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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.

5. The Basil D’Oliveira Affair (1968)

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England were due to tour South Africa in the 1968-69 season, but controversially omitted all-rounder Basil D’Oliveira.

There were rumours he had been left out because of South Africa’s refusal to play against teams of mixed race—which D’Oliveira was—and the political ramifications were enormous.

After he was brought in as a replacement for the injured Tom Cartwright, South African prime minister B.J. Vortser said England would not be allowed in the country.

That then set off a chain of events that led to the tour being cancelled and South Africa being banished from mainstream international cricket until 1991.

6. Mike Denness vs. India (2001)

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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.

7. Pakistan Spot-Fixing (2010)

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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.

8. Cricket World Cup Boycotts of Zimbabwe and Kenya (2003)

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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.

9. Steve Bucknor Sacked from Umpiring Test Match (2008)

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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.

10. Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh Race Row (2008)

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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.

11. Mike Gatting vs. Shakoor Rana (1987)

Surely one of the most unsavoury incidents between a captain and umpire happened in Faisalabad in the Test between England and Pakistan in 1987.

Umpire Shakoor Rana accused England captain Mike Gatting of altering the field as a bowler ran into bowl, which incensed the away side’s skipper.

The image of them arguing and pointing at each other was beamed round the world, and Rana refused to stand again until Gatting apologised, which he did.

12. Dennis Lillee’s Aluminium Bat (1979)

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Never one to shy away from an argument, Australia’s Dennis Lillee strode out to bat at the WACA against England in 1979 with a bat made of aluminium.

There were no rules that stated a cricket bat had to be wooden, so Lillee felt he was well within his rights to use the ComBat.

It took almost 10 minutes of discussion for him to be convinced to use a wooden one, at which point he launched his metal bat 40 yards towards the pavilion.

13. Tony Greig: 'I Intend to Make Them Grovel' (1976)

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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.

14. Ricky Ponting Run out by Gary Pratt (2005)

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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.

15. Pakistan Ball Tampering Allegations (2006)

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Another controversy involving Darrell Hair follows, as he precipitated the abandonment of the fourth Test between England and Pakistan in 2006 at The Oval.

Hair was convinced the fielding Pakistanis were tampering with the ball, and rather than issue a warning, he awarded England five penalty runs.

The visitors were furious and refused to retake the field after tea, at which point the umpires declared they had forfeited the game and removed the stumps.

16. Indian Premier League Spot-Fixing (2012 and 2013)

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On two separate occasions, the Indian Premier League has come under intense scrutiny because of spot-fixing and betting by its players.

In 2012, five were banned after India TV aired a sting operation and implicated them for accepting money to become involved in spot-fixing.

Then, in 2013 three players from the Rajasthan Royals—including Indian international Sreesanth—were arrested for charges of spot-fixing by the Delhi Police.

17. Trevor Chappell Bowls Underarm (1981)

In Australia’s ODI in 1981 against New Zealand in the World Series Cup, the Black Caps needed six runs from the final delivery to tie the game.

To prevent this, Baggy Green captain Greg Chappell instructed his brother Trevor to bowl his last ball underarm, something that was not prohibited in the rulebook.

It was deemed contrary to the spirit of the game, and a swift rule-change followed, especially after Richie Benaud's famous tirade against the delivery on Channel 9 in Australia.

18. Rebel Tours of South Africa (1982-1990)

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While South Africa was in exile due to apartheid, several teams organised so-called “rebel tours” to the country, with a number of current internationals choosing to play.

The seven tours came from England, Australia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies, and led to bans for those involved as well as condemnation from across the world.

19. John the Bookmaker (1994-95)

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Australian cricketers Mark Waugh and Shane Warne got into some hot water on their side’s tour of India in 1994-95, as they received money from a bookmaker, an Indian named John.

It was in return for providing the bookmaker with information about pitches and the weather, and it was very embarrassing for all concerned.

20. John Snow Grabbed by Australian Fan (1971)

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In the final Ashes Test in Sydney, England seamer John Snow incensed the home crowd when a bouncer hit Terry Jenner in the first innings.

Snow went to his fielding position at fine leg and was pelted with missiles, then was grabbed by a member of the crowd.

England captain Ray Illingworth then led his team off the field in protest at the crowd’s behaviour and the litter on the field but returned soon after to complete the game.

21. New Zealand vs. West Indies (1979-80)

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Michael Holding and the other West Indies bowlers had problems with the umpires on their tour of New Zealand in the 1979-80 season.

Things came to a head in Dunedin, where Holding kicked the stumps down in frustration, while Colin Croft also barged into an umpire in his delivery stride.

22. World Series Cricket (1977-79)

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One of the most revolutionary periods of cricket that still has an impact to this day, World Series Cricket was very controversial when it was first introduced.

Media mogul Kerry Packer convinced players to defect from their national teams and play for him, in his league of coloured clothing, floodlights and new camera angles.

Packer had gone down that path after failing to secure broadcasting rights to Australia’s games, but had his way eventually and changed the sport of cricket forever.

23. Saleem Malik Match-Fixing (1998)

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Pakistan captain Saleem Malik led his country in South Africa and Zimbabwe, but was stripped of the captaincy after being accused of taking bribes.

He was banned for life, and with all that followed in subsequent years it marked a dark period for cricket, but he would be acquitted of all charges in 2008.

24. Javed Miandad vs. Dennis Lillee (1981-82)

Dennis Lillee was never far away from controversy, and he was involved in an ugly incident with Pakistan’s Javed Miandad during their Test against Australia at the WACA in Perth.

Miandad collided with Lillee in running for a single, and the bowler turned to confront the batsman, whereupon the Pakistani raised his bat as if to use it as a weapon.

Both would be banned for two games after the incident, which was one of the ugliest seen on a cricket field between two opponents.

25. Bob Woolmer’s Death (2007)

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Pakistan were knocked out of the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the group stage, then their coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his Jamaica hotel room.

Police in that country launched a murder investigation, and one report suggested he had died of asphyxiation through strangulation.

However, that report would be disproved and he was said to have died of a heart attack, although doubts are still raised to this day about the verdict.