The Biggest Controversies in Cricket - Will 2023 Bring More Drama?

Understanding the role of controversies in the sport of cricket, and the anticipation for what lies ahead.

Cricket, through its history of almost 500 years, has earned the title of being 'the gentleman's game'. Played passionately in over 100 countries, the sport has grown to become a global phenomenon, inspiring an emotional fervour rarely seen in other sports.

Historically, this game has provided us with many unforgettable moments. We have been witness to spellbinding performances, nail-biting finishes, and inspiring tales of sportsmanship. However, it's not always been the pristine image of the pitch or the echoing applause of the crowd. However, with the competitive spirit reflected in this game like any other sport came a share of controversies that have sent ripples across the globe. From ball-tampering scandals to match-fixing allegations, these incidents have not only stirred up storms within the cricket community but have also questioned the integrity of the sport we so dearly love.

As we gear up for the second half of 2023, the question arises - will the upcoming year bring more such dramatic events to the forefront? Moris Media, India's leading digital marketing agency, reflects on cricket's biggest controversies and explore what the future may hold.

Understanding Cricket Controversies

Cricket, like any other game is played under a defined set of rules and regulations enlisted in a manual by the ICC. A controversy, in this context, arises when these principles are breached, intentionally or unintentionally, leading to unfair play or misconduct. These disputes have often brought the game under a shadow that all tarnished the game's reputation. Cricketing careers have ended prematurely while vendetta of the fans has also been faced.

Match-fixing:

Match-fixing is just like a plague that cricket has been enduring for years now. These have resulted when a player or a team has intentionally underperformed in exchange for money or other benefits. These action often had the potential of influencing the outcome of a match. The infamous Hansie Cronje scandal of 2000 is an unfortunate example, where the South African captain admitted to fixing matches, shocking fans worldwide.

Ball-tampering:

This involves altering the condition of the cricket ball to gain an unfair advantage. Notable instances include the 2018 Sandpaper Gate involving Australian cricketers Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft, where they were caught tampering the ball using a piece of sandpaper.

Controversial Decisions:

Controversies can also stem from contentious decisions made by umpires or cricket bodies. The 2019 World Cup final between England and New Zealand witnessed such a controversy when the match was decided based on the boundary count rule after a tie in the Super Over, leading to an outcry about the rule's fairness.

Player Conduct:

Cricketers' behavior on and off the field can also cause controversies. Infamous sledging incidents, offensive gestures, or personal misconduct off the field have led to disciplinary actions and public outrage in the past.

These controversies have resulted in tighter regulations, improved technology, and stricter disciplinary measures. However, they have also highlighted the constant vigilance required to maintain the integrity of the sport.

Major Cricket Controversies: A Walk Down Memory Lane

The Bodyline Series (1932-33):

Known as one of cricket's earliest and most notable controversies, the Bodyline Series involved England's tactical yet aggressive bowling attack towards Australian batsmen, aimed directly at their bodies. This unsportsmanlike strategy, although not against the rules at the time, sparked outrage and diplomatic tensions between England and Australia.

The Underarm Bowling Incident (1981):

In a One Day International match between Australia and New Zealand, Australian bowler Trevor Chappell, under instructions from his captain and brother Greg Chappell, bowled an underarm delivery to prevent New Zealand from hitting a six off the last ball to tie the game. This act, considered against the spirit of cricket, caused a furore and led to a change in cricket laws.

The Hansie Cronje Match-Fixing Scandal (2000):

Former South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje's involvement in match-fixing stunned the cricketing world. Cronje admitted to accepting money from bookies to fix matches, leading to a lifetime ban from cricket. This scandal highlighted the grim reality of corruption in cricket.

The Monkeygate Scandal (2008):

During India's tour of Australia in 2008, sledging between the teams was at its peak. One such heated altercation between Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds. Symonds alleged that Singh had called him a monkey. This escalated to the proportions of a diplomatic row between the two countries. Harbhajan Singh was banned for three matches, which was later lifted on appeal.

The Spot-Fixing Scandal (2010):

Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir came under the radar during an England tour. They were caught in a spot-fixing scandal during a Test match against the host nation. They were found guilty of intentionally bowling no-balls at specific points in the match in return for money from a bookmaker. This incident led to bans and jail terms for the involved players and tarnished the image of Pakistani cricket.

Sandpaper Gate (2018):

Australian cricketers Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were found guilty of ball tampering in a test match against South Africa. Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to alter the ball's condition using sandpaper. This incident resulted in hefty penalties and year-long bans for Smith and Warner, with Bancroft receiving a nine-month suspension.

Will 2023 Bring More Drama to Cricket?

We see how much the stakes have increased in cricket these days. We are already witnessing huge investments by corporates coming into it. This creates potential for more controversies in the near future, citing reasons such as:

Increased Pressure and Stakes:

With cricket being a globally popular sport, the pressure on teams and players to perform and win is immense. When the stakes are sky high, controversial actions and decisions are possible avenues.

Evolution of Technology:

The integration of technology into cricket, such as the Decision Review System (DRS), has brought its own set of controversies. As technology continues to evolve, there may be more debates about its role and reliability in the sport.

More Competitive Cricket Formats:

The advent of formats like T20 and T10 cricket, which have shorter, high-intensity matches, can increase the likelihood of controversies due to their competitive nature.

Persistent Corruption Issues:

Despite strict monitoring and regulations, issues like match-fixing and spot-fixing remain a concern in cricket. The sport's governing bodies must continually strive to eliminate these issues to prevent further controversies.

Increasing Player Dissatisfaction:

Recent years have seen growing instances of player dissatisfaction concerning various aspects like pay disparity, workload, bio-bubble constraints, etc. If these concerns are not addressed adequately, they could escalate into larger controversies.