How Serious Is Ball Tampering In Cricket?

[Garaman]

From the reaction to the Australian team’s tampering you would assume that it is a serious offence. However, according to the ICC Cricket Code of Conduct it is only a Level 2 offence. That puts it in the same category as obstruction and swearing at another player, and you wouldn’t see a captain resigning his post for either of those.

I am not condoning it, btw, just questioning whether there is an overreaction, or whether the offence should be raised to a different level in the code.

[EDDIE51]

It can easily affect the outcome of a match or entire test series by changing the way the ball moves and bounces , Yes it should be in a more serious category.

[woofgang]

o it was Imran Khan

[bhg481]

To me it is as serious as drug-taking; you're using unfair means to gain an advantage. I would ban them for life. At least with drugs you can take them accidentally (the same remedies in different countries have different ingredients); this was pure cheating.

[THECORBYLOON]

Considering how important the state of the ball is, adding five penalty runs to the score is hardly an appropriate sanction in my view.

If a much higher number were added, seventy-five or a percentage of the runs scored so far for example, would reduce the temptation.

There is also the issue of wickets taken with the tampered ball which could mean a much lower score having been made.

Maybe a penalty based on a combination of runs scored and wickets taken is needed. Use a percentage of the runs scored and add twenty-five for each wicket taken.

[dannyk13]

I, and many other bowlers, used to polish one side of the ball on my flannels in order too gain more swing,Ball tampering?

[THECORBYLOON]

That is allowed in the Laws though, isn't it? It is being done in the open and everyone can see it. The difference is when the ball is being manipulated secretly with salves, balms or sugary saliva.

[murraymints]

Naughty !

[Garaman]

Thanks for the replies. I am with Eddie on this and think the offence should be in a more series category. As TheCorbyLoon points out, in addition to punishing the perpetrators more, the penalty needs to be readdressed because it is nowhere near appropriate for the offence.