Ball Tampering in Cricket: Laws, History, and Famous Controversies
An explanation of cricket's laws on ball tampering — what constitutes illegal interference with the ball, the penalties involved, and the most notorious incidents in cricket history.
Ball tampering is one of cricket's most serious offences — any deliberate alteration of the ball's condition beyond what is permitted under the Laws of Cricket. While players are allowed to polish the ball with sweat or saliva and maintain its condition in certain ways, any artificial interference with the ball's surface or seam is a violation that carries significant sporting and reputational consequences.
What Is Permitted and What Is Not
Players are permitted to: polish the ball with sweat from their own body; rub it dry on clothing; remove mud from the surface; and use saliva to shine the ball (though ICC regulations introduced in 2020 restricted saliva use due to COVID-19 and this restriction has been discussed for permanence). What is strictly prohibited includes: raising the seam artificially; scratching or cutting the surface; applying any substance such as lip balm, sun cream, sweets, or other materials to the ball; and biting, gouging, or picking at the leather.
Penalties for Ball Tampering
When umpires detect or suspect ball tampering, the penalties under the Laws of Cricket include: the ball being replaced with one of comparable age; 5 penalty runs being awarded to the batting side; and the incident being reported to the match referee, who can impose further disciplinary sanctions on the players involved. The ICC Code of Conduct treats deliberate ball tampering as a Level 2 or Level 3 offence, carrying match bans and significant fines.
Famous Ball Tampering Controversies
Ball tampering controversies have punctuated cricket history. Pakistan was found guilty of ball tampering against England in 2006, leading to a famous forfeit of the match at The Oval when the teams could not agree on resuming play. Various players from multiple countries have been sanctioned over the years for applying substances to the ball or scratching the surface. The 2018 Australian incident remains the highest-profile case, resulting in cultural and governance changes within Cricket Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What constitutes ball tampering in cricket?
Ball tampering includes any deliberate and illegal alteration of the ball's condition — raising the seam, scratching the surface, applying artificial substances, or using fingernails to damage the leather. Legitimate ball maintenance such as polishing with sweat or rubbing dry on clothing is permitted.
What are the penalties for ball tampering in cricket?
Penalties include the ball being replaced with one of comparable age, 5 penalty runs awarded to the batting side, and a report to the match referee. The ICC Code of Conduct can impose match bans and fines for players found guilty of deliberate tampering.