Ball Tampering in Cricket | Biggest Mistake by cricketers

Ball tampering in cricket refers to the illegal practice of altering the condition of the cricket ball in order to gain an unfair advantage. This is typically done by applying some kind of foreign substance, such as saliva or sugar, to one side of the ball to make it swing in the air more.  This can make it difficult for batsmen to play accurately and increase the chances of getting them out.  Ball tampering is a serious offense in cricket and is strictly prohibited by the Laws of Cricket. Any player found guilty of ball tampering can face serious penalties, including fines, suspension, and in some cases, a ban from the sport.

How is a Cricket ball tampered and what effect does tampering have on the ball?

• Cricket ball tampering refers to the act of changing the condition of the ball in a manner that is not within the laws of the game. 
• This is usually done by using an external object such as a nail or thumbtack to scratch the surface of the ball, or by applying substances like saliva, sweat, or artificial substances to alter its aerodynamics.
• Tampering with the ball affects its swing and seam movement, making it more difficult for the batsman to predict its trajectory. As a result, it can give an advantage to the bowler and the fielding team. 
• This is why ball tampering is considered unethical and is strictly prohibited by the laws of cricket. If a player is found guilty of ball tampering, they can face severe penalties, including fines and suspensions.

Who initiated ball tampering in Cricket History?

Ball tampering, in Cricket, is not a new way to cheat and win over the batsman by using some substance on the ball, in fact, Atherton, the English captain, was caught applying a substance to the ball while playing a match against South Africa in the year 1994. 

He claimed that it was dirt that he had taken from his pocket in order to make his hands dry. 

Cricketers involved in Ball Tampering

In order to defeat the opposing team in the game, many players cheat in many of the games. Cricket includes some clever methods to gain the upper hand on the other team or player.

Some of the most well-known cricketers who have been a part of events involving tampered balls include:

• Michael Atherton (England)– 1994
• Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 2000
• Sachin Tendulkar (India)– 2001
• Rahul Dravid (India)- 2004
• Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif, and Mohammed Amir (Pakistan) - 2010
• Stuart Broad and James Anderson (England) – 2010
• Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 2010
• Faf du Plessis (South Africa) - 2013
• Vernon Philander (South Africa) – 2014
• Faf du Plessis (South Africa) – 2016
• Virat Kohli (India) – 2016
• Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft (Australia) - 2018

These are only a few high-profile incidences of cricket ball tampering. Such acts are not accepted in the sport, and players who are proven to be involved face heavy penalties.

What is wrong with ball tampering?

• Ball tampering is considered a serious offense in cricket as it goes against the spirit of the game and the principle of fair play. 
• The Laws of Cricket, as defined by the International Cricket Council (ICC), state that the ball should be made of leather and be a sphere of approximately 22.4 cm in circumference, and that it should be delivered to the batsman as it was at the start of the match. Altering the condition of the ball in any way is therefore prohibited.
• Examples of ball tampering include using your nails or fingers to scratch the ball, using saliva or sweat to shine the ball, or applying any kind of artificial substance to the ball to change its aerodynamics.
• Penalties for ball tampering can range from fines and match suspensions to lengthy bans from the sport, depending on the severity of the offense. 
• The ICC has the authority to enforce penalties for ball tampering, and has done so in several high-profile cases in recent years.
• In addition to being against the Laws of Cricket, ball tampering can also have a negative impact on the reputation of the sport and the players involved. 
• Fans, players, and administrators all expect the game to be played in a fair and transparent manner, and any incidents of ball tampering are seen as a breach of this trust.

Conclusion

Ball tampering is a serious offense in Cricket and is of course banned from it. The player who is caught doing it is banned from the cricket as occurred with. 

• Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft (Australia), 
• Faf du Plessis, and Vernon Philander (South Africa),  
• Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif, Waqar Younis, Shahid Afridi and Mohammed Amir (Pakistan), 
• Michael Atherton, Stuart Broad and James Anderson  (England), 
• Sachin Tendulkar,Rahul Dravid, and Virat Kohli  (India) .