Australia's Cameron Bancroft is spoken to by the umpires after TV cameras caught him using a yellow object to alter the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa. AFPThe Australian cricket team is renowned for fighting all the way. But the Aussies have also been notorious for stretching the rules of the game and sledging their opponents. With Australian captain Steve Smith admitting to ball-tampering in the third Test against South Africa at Cape Town, Onmanorama takes a glance at some of the infamous acts of the Australians on the cricket field.
1. Underarm bowling row
Greg Chappell got it horribly wrong when he instructed his brother Trevor to bowl underarm. Chappell's controversial instruction came when the Kiwis needed a six to tie the third One-Day International at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1981. The fans, sponsors and the cricket world were shocked by the unsporting act of the Australian captain. In the aftermath of this incident, underarm bowling was abolished and Greg Chappell was to rue his decision for the rest of his life.
2. Lillee-Miandad fight
Australian pace legend Dennis Lillee and Pakistan stalwart Javed Miandad were involved in a nasty spat during the 1981 Perth Test. Miandad's version is that he was obstructed by Lillee while attempting a run, which made him push away the bowler. Lillee claimed that Miandad hit him with his bat and verbally abused him and in retaliation kicked him. The image of Lillee getting ready for a fight with Miandad and the latter raising his bat like a mace brought the game into disrepute. Lillee was fined for two one-dayers and slapped with a meagre fine by the Australian Cricket Board, while Miandad got away scot-free.
3. Sydney Test of 2008
The second Test between Australian and India in 2008 turned out to be one of the most controversial Tests of all time. The Indians had every reason to be felt cheated of a certain draw as numerous decisions were ruled against them. On the final day Michael Clarke claimed a catch to dismiss Sourav Ganguly when TV replays clearly showed the ball had hit the ground. Australia went on to win a record-equalling 16th Test in a row, but Indian skipper Anil Kumble summed it up best when he said only one team played in the spirit of the game. This match also witnessed the MonkeyGate scandal involving Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds and Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
4. Smith's brain fade
Australian captain Steve Smith found himself in the middle of a big controversy when he sought assistance from the dressing room whether to go for a review after being adjudged lbw off Umesh Yadav's bowling in the fourth innings of the Bengaluru Test last year. Umpire Nigel Llong quickly told Smith to get off the ground even as an angry Indian captain Virat Kohli made his displeasure known. Smith later termed it a 'brain fade', but Kohli said that the Australians had it done earlier in the series too.
5. SandpaperGate
The desperation to win landed Smith's men in real trouble after TV cameras caught Australian opener Cameron Bancroft using a yellow tape to alter the condition of the ball during the third day of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. What was more shocking was the admission of Smith that it was a decision taken by the leadership group to gain an advantage over the Proteas. Smith and his deputy David Warner stood down from their respective roles before the start of the fourth day's play. The ICC slapped a one-Test ban on Smith and fined him of his match fee, while Bancroft was let off with a 75 per cent fine of his match fee. More sanctions are in store for Smith and the senior players as Cricket Australia probes the incident which brought disrepute to the country.
