England

Romi Bhinder Caught Using Phone in Dugout — Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru

10 April 2026

Rajasthan Royals team manager Ravinder Singh "Romi" Bhinder was caught on television using a mobile phone in the team dugout during the franchise's IPL 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Guwahati on 10 April 2026, in breach of Article 4.1.1 of the BCCI's IPL Player and Match Officials Areas (PMOA) Protocols. The BCCI's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) issued a show-cause notice the same week. After investigation, Bhinder was fined ₹1 lakh and given a formal warning; his explanation that a medical condition required phone access was accepted. No action was taken against fifteen-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had been seated next to him.

#IPL 2026#BCCI#ACSU

Bairstow Stumping Controversy — Ashes 2023

England vs Australia

28 June - 2 July 2023

Alex Carey stumped Jonny Bairstow after he wandered out of his crease assuming the ball was dead. The dismissal at Lord's caused a furious reaction from the MCC members.

#bairstow#stumping#carey

🥊Mild

Stuart Broad Counts Down Steve Smith's Farewell at The Oval

England vs Australia

31 July 2023

Stuart Broad, in his final Test, cheekily counted down to Steve Smith's supposedly final Test innings, winding up the Australian.

#broad#smith#ashes

#jhulan goswami#farewell#retirement

Jonny Bairstow Stumped by Alex Carey — Lord's 2023

England vs Australia

2 July 2023

Alex Carey stumped Jonny Bairstow as he wandered out of his crease assuming the ball was dead, sparking a massive 'Spirit of Cricket' controversy.

#bairstow#carey#stumping

🔥Mild

Jhulan Goswami's Farewell — Limited Recognition Debate

India Women vs England Women

24 September 2022

Jhulan Goswami's farewell match at Lord's was overshadowed by the Mankad controversy, and many felt India's greatest fast bowler deserved a more befitting send-off.

#deepti sharma#charlie dean#mankad

Deepti Sharma Runs Out Charlie Dean at Non-Striker's End

India Women vs England Women

24 September 2022

Deepti Sharma ran out Charlie Dean at the non-striker's end to seal an ODI series sweep. The dismissal reignited the Mankad debate globally.

#deepti sharma#charlotte dean#mankad

Deepti Sharma's Mankad of Charlotte Dean

England Women vs India Women

24 September 2022

Deepti Sharma ran out Charlotte Dean at the non-striker's end for backing up too far, sparking a fierce global debate about the spirit of cricket versus the laws of the game.

#ashes#scheduling#multi-format

Women's Ashes Scheduling Row — Multi-Format Points System

Australia Women vs England Women

20 January 2022

The multi-format Women's Ashes points system was criticised for effectively allowing Australia to retain the Ashes before the Test match, making the flagship Test feel meaningless.

England U19 Team Racism Allegations

England U19

10 June 2022

Allegations of racism within the England youth cricket system emerged as part of the broader investigation into discrimination in English cricket triggered by Azeem Rafiq's testimony.

#racism#england u19#ecb

#india u19#celebration#yash dhull

India U19 Celebration Controversy — Yash Dhull's Team

India U19 vs England U19

5 February 2022

India U19's exuberant celebrations after winning the 2022 U19 World Cup went viral, with some senior commentators criticising the youngsters for being 'over the top' while fans found it endearing.

Ahmedabad Pink Ball Test Ends in Two Days — Pitch Controversy

India vs England

24 February 2021

The third Test between India and England at the newly rebuilt Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad ended inside two days, with 30 wickets falling on a pitch that turned sharply from the first session.

#pitch#ahmedabad#motera

The Hundred — English Cricket's Divisive Experiment

ECB / English Cricket

21 July 2021

The ECB's creation of 'The Hundred,' a 100-ball competition with new rules and city-based franchises, divided English cricket, with critics arguing it undermined the county system and was a solution to a problem that didn't exist.

#the hundred#ecb#england

DRS Controversy in Day-Night Test — Ahmedabad 2021

India vs England

24-25 February 2021

Multiple controversial LBW decisions in the pink-ball Ahmedabad Test that finished inside two days, with questions about ball tracking accuracy on a turning pitch.

#drs#pink ball#ahmedabad

Soft Signal Controversy — Washington Sundar Catch

India vs England

5-9 March 2021

The on-field umpire's 'soft signal' of out for a Ben Stokes catch that appeared to have been grassed was upheld by the third umpire, sparking fury over the soft signal rule.

#soft signal#drs#catch

#bad light#old trafford#floodlights

Bad Light Controversy — England vs Pakistan, 2020

England vs Pakistan

5-9 August 2020

Play was stopped for bad light despite the availability of floodlights, frustrating fans and players as Pakistan pushed for a result.

#dead ball#no ball#ben stokes

Dead Ball or Not? — Ben Stokes Hit off No-Ball, 2020

South Africa vs England

January 2020

Confusion arose about whether a ball was dead after a no-ball was bowled and the batsman was hit, leading to debate about free hit procedures.

#sarah taylor#mental health#anxiety

Sarah Taylor's Forced Retirement Due to Mental Health

England Women

3 September 2019

England's wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor was forced to retire at just 30 due to severe anxiety, raising important questions about mental health support in women's cricket.

#world cup#final#overthrows

Six Overthrows — World Cup 2019 Final

England vs New Zealand

14 July 2019

Umpire Kumar Dharmasena awarded six runs on an overthrow that deflected off Ben Stokes' bat, when the correct call should have been five. The decision may have changed the outcome of the World Cup final.

Umpire's Call Frustration — Ashes 2019

England vs Australia

1-5 August 2019

Multiple decisions in the 2019 Ashes were upheld as 'umpire's call' despite ball tracking showing the ball hitting the stumps, reigniting the debate about the DRS threshold.

#umpires call#drs#ashes

#concussion#substitute#marnus labuschagne

Concussion Substitute Controversy — Marnus for Smith

England vs Australia

14-18 August 2019

Marnus Labuschagne replaced Steve Smith as cricket's first concussion substitute after Smith was hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer. England questioned whether it was a like-for-like replacement.

#ashes#headingley#ben stokes

Jack Leach Survives LBW Appeal — Headingley 2019

England vs Australia

22-25 August 2019

During Ben Stokes' miraculous Headingley chase, Jack Leach survived an LBW appeal that was given 'umpire's call' on review, allowing the legendary partnership to continue.

Nathan Lyon's Missed Stumping — Ashes 2019 Headingley

England vs Australia

25 August 2019

Nathan Lyon dropped a simple chance to run out Ben Stokes at Headingley, and earlier Tim Paine missed a stumping chance that would have ended England's miraculous chase.

#lyon#burns#stokes

Nathan Lyon Drops the Ball Near Bairstow's Stumps

England vs Australia

4 August 2019

Nathan Lyon dropped the ball next to the stumps near a grounded Jonny Bairstow, widely seen as an attempt to goad the batsman into a stumping dismissal.

#lyon#bairstow#stumping

Jofra Archer's Bouncer Fells Steve Smith — 2019 Ashes

England vs Australia

17 August 2019

Jofra Archer's fierce bouncer struck Steve Smith on the neck, felling him and forcing him out of the next Test with delayed concussion symptoms.

#archer#smith#bouncer

#trent-boult#world-cup#final

Trent Boult Steps on the Boundary Rope — WC Final 2019

England vs New Zealand

2019-07-14

Trent Boult took a seemingly match-winning catch but stepped on the boundary rope, gifting England a crucial six in the World Cup Final.

#world-cup-final#2019#overthrow

Various World Cup Final 2019 Comedy of Errors

England vs New Zealand

2019-07-14

The 2019 World Cup Final featured a freak overthrow off Ben Stokes' bat that went for six runs, sparking endless debate and proving that cricket's greatest moments are often its most absurd.

2019 World Cup Final — Boundary Count Rule and Overthrow Controversy

England vs New Zealand

14 July 2019

England won the 2019 World Cup Final on a boundary count tiebreaker after both the match and Super Over were tied, amid controversy over a crucial overthrow that awarded England six runs instead of five.

#world cup#2019#final

#mithali raj#world cup final#batting order

Mithali Raj Batting Order Drama — 2017 Women's World Cup Final

India Women vs England Women

23 July 2017

India controversially demoted Mithali Raj in the batting order during the World Cup Final at Lord's, a decision that many blamed for India's defeat.

#broad#ashes#caught behind

Stuart Broad Given Not Out Again — Ashes 2017

Australia vs England

November-December 2017

Stuart Broad was again at the centre of a caught-behind controversy in the Ashes, this time in Australia, with DRS technology at the heart of the debate.

#stokes#nightclub#bristol

Ben Stokes Nightclub Incident — Bristol 2017

England (off-field)

25 September 2017

Ben Stokes was arrested after a violent incident outside a Bristol nightclub, leading to criminal charges, a trial, and his exclusion from the Ashes tour.

#charlotte edwards#ecb#retirement

Charlotte Edwards Allegedly Forced Out by ECB

England Women

12 May 2016

England's greatest women's cricketer Charlotte Edwards was allegedly pushed into retirement by the ECB and new coach Mark Robinson as part of a 'new direction' for the team.

#no ball#third umpire#visakhapatnam

Third Umpire Forgets to Check No-Ball — India vs England 2016

India vs England

November 2016

The third umpire failed to check for a front-foot no-ball on a wicket-taking delivery, a standard protocol that was missed. The dismissal stood without the check being made.

#marlon-samuels#celebration#blanket

Marlon Samuels' Blanket Celebration After T20 WC Final

West Indies vs England

2016-04-03

After Carlos Brathwaite hit four sixes to win the T20 World Cup Final, Marlon Samuels celebrated by draping himself in a blanket-like flag and sitting in a chair with his feet up.

#ben-stokes#obstructing-field#lords

Ben Stokes Given Out 'Obstructing the Field' vs Australia

England vs Australia

2015-09-13

Ben Stokes was given out for 'obstructing the field' after raising his hand to protect himself from a throw, becoming only the 7th player in ODI history to be dismissed that way.

#jadeja#anderson#pushgate

Jadeja-Anderson 'Pushgate' at Trent Bridge

England vs India

12 July 2014

An alleged physical altercation between Ravindra Jadeja and James Anderson in the players' tunnel at Trent Bridge led to charges, counter-charges, and a messy ICC hearing that satisfied nobody.

#big three#icc#restructuring

The 'Big Three' ICC Revenue Restructuring

India, Australia, England vs Rest of Cricket World

8 February 2014

India, Australia, and England pushed through a radical ICC restructuring that gave them a vastly disproportionate share of revenue and governance power, undermining smaller cricketing nations.

#five runs#penalty#overthrow

Five-Run Penalty Debate — England vs Sri Lanka 2014

England vs Sri Lanka

June 2014

A controversial five-run penalty was awarded during an England-Sri Lanka Test, sparking debate about when and how penalty runs should be applied.

#mankad#senanayake#buttler

Sachithra Senanayake Runs Out Jos Buttler — 2014 ODI

England vs Sri Lanka

3 June 2014

Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senanayake ran out Jos Buttler at the non-striker's end during an ODI, making Buttler a repeat victim of the controversial dismissal.

Virat Kohli vs James Anderson — 2014 Test Series

England vs India

17 July 2014

Virat Kohli and James Anderson had intense verbal exchanges throughout the 2014 series in England, with Kohli accusing Anderson of being abusive and disrespectful.

#kohli#anderson#lord's

#anderson#jadeja#corridor

James Anderson vs Ravindra Jadeja — Trent Bridge Corridor Incident

England vs India

13 July 2014

James Anderson allegedly pushed Ravindra Jadeja in the players' corridor at Trent Bridge during the 2014 Test series, leading to ICC charges and hearings.

Stuart Broad Refuses to Walk — Ashes 2013

England vs Australia

10-14 July 2013

Stuart Broad edged a ball clearly to slip but was given not out. He refused to walk, and Australia had no DRS reviews left.

#broad#ashes#not walking

David Warner Punches Joe Root in Bar — Ashes Prelude 2013

Australia vs England

12 June 2013

David Warner punched Joe Root in a bar altercation during the Champions Trophy, leading to a suspension that set the tone for a hostile 2013 Ashes series.

#warner#root#punch

Hot Spot Technology Failure — Ashes 2013

England vs Australia

July-August 2013

The Hot Spot infrared technology was shown to be unreliable during the 2013 Ashes, failing to detect clear edges and undermining confidence in DRS.

#hot spot#drs#technology

David Warner Punches Joe Root in a Bar

Australia vs England (off-field)

13 June 2013

David Warner punched Joe Root in the face at a bar in Birmingham during the ICC Champions Trophy, leading to Warner's suspension.

#warner#root#punch

#johnson#ashes#intimidation

Mitchell Johnson's Reign of Terror — 2013-14 Ashes

Australia vs England

24 November 2013

Mitchell Johnson bowled one of the most intimidating spells in Ashes history, terrifying England's batsmen with extreme pace and aggression across the entire 5-0 whitewash.

#haddin#anderson#sledging

Brad Haddin vs James Anderson — Ashes 2013-14

Australia vs England

6 December 2013

Brad Haddin engaged in sustained verbal abuse of James Anderson throughout the 2013-14 Ashes, reducing Anderson to tears according to some reports.

Darren Lehmann Urges Fans to Make Broad 'Cry' — Ashes 2013

Australia vs England

12 August 2013

Australian coach Darren Lehmann urged Australian fans to give Stuart Broad such a hard time during the return Ashes that he'd 'want to go home and cry.'

#lehmann#broad#walking

Stuart Broad Refuses to Walk After Thick Edge — Ashes 2013

England vs Australia

12 July 2013

Stuart Broad stood his ground after a massive edge was caught at slip, refusing to walk. The umpire gave him not out, infuriating Australia.

#broad#walking#edge

#james-anderson#bat-throw#frustration

James Anderson Throws His Bat in Frustration — Then Gets Out

Australia vs England

2013-12-08

James Anderson, cricket's most lethal number 11 batsman, produced various comedy batting moments throughout his career, including frustrated bat throws and bizarre dismissals.

#stuart-broad#not-walking#ashes

Stuart Broad Refuses to Walk Despite Massive Edge — Ashes 2013

England vs Australia

2013-07-10

Stuart Broad edged massively to slip but stood his ground and was given not out by the umpire, brazenly refusing to walk in one of the Ashes' most shameless moments.

Obstructing the Field — Hashim Amla 2012

England vs South Africa

August 2012

An appeal for obstructing the field was considered during the Lord's Test between England and South Africa, highlighting one of cricket's most rarely invoked Laws.

#obstructing#amla#lords

Kevin Pietersen's Derogatory Texts About Andrew Strauss

England (internal conflict)

12 August 2012

Kevin Pietersen sent derogatory text messages about England captain Andrew Strauss to members of the opposing South African team during a Test match.

#pietersen#strauss#texts

Ian Bell Run Out at Lord's During Tea Break

England vs Australia

21-25 July 2011

Ian Bell was run out in bizarre circumstances when he assumed the ball was dead at the tea break, only for India to appeal and the umpires to give him out. MS Dhoni later withdrew the appeal.

#ian bell#run out#lords

#spot fixing#lords#salman butt

Pakistan Spot-Fixing Scandal at Lord's

England vs Pakistan

26 August 2010

A News of the World sting exposed Pakistan captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Asif for deliberately bowling no-balls at pre-arranged moments during the Lord's Test, leading to criminal convictions and bans.

🚨Explosive

Pakistan Lord's Spot-Fixing Scandal

England vs Pakistan

26 August 2010

Pakistani captain Salman Butt, bowler Mohammad Amir, and bowler Mohammad Asif were caught in a News of the World sting arranging deliberate no-balls at precise moments during the Lord's Test.

#salman butt#mohammad amir#mohammad asif

#graeme-swann#sprinkler#dance

Graeme Swann's Sprinkler Dance Celebrations

Australia vs England

2010-11-28

Graeme Swann's 'Sprinkler' dance became England's signature celebration during the 2010-11 Ashes, infuriating Australians and delighting England fans.

#mitchell-johnson#barmy-army#moustache

The Barmy Army vs Mitchell Johnson's Moustache

Australia vs England

2010-12-26

England's Barmy Army mercilessly mocked Mitchell Johnson's moustache and bowling with a song that became one of cricket's most famous terrace chants.

#peter-siddle#hat-trick#birthday

Peter Siddle's Banana-Fuelled Birthday Hat-Trick

Australia vs England

2010-11-25

Peter Siddle took an Ashes hat-trick on his birthday, but the story that captured everyone's imagination was that the vegan fast bowler celebrated with bananas instead of beer.

#ashes#cardiff#last wicket

England Survive at Cardiff — Ashes 2009

England vs Australia

8-12 July 2009

England survived the final session with last pair James Anderson and Monty Panesar at the crease. Australia were convinced they had Anderson LBW but the appeal was turned down.

#switch hit#kevin pietersen#reverse sweep

Switch Hit Legality Debate — KP and the Laws

England vs New Zealand

June 2008

Kevin Pietersen's revolutionary switch hit raised questions about LBW law, wide calls, and field placement when a batsman changes from right to left-handed mid-delivery.

#kevin-pietersen#switch-hit#invention

Kevin Pietersen Invents the Switch Hit

England vs New Zealand

2008-06-15

Kevin Pietersen stunned cricket by switching from right-handed to left-handed mid-delivery to smash Scott Styris for six, effectively inventing the 'switch hit.'

#yuvraj-singh#stuart-broad#six-sixes

Yuvraj Singh Smashes Stuart Broad for 6 Sixes in an Over

India vs England

2007-09-19

Yuvraj Singh hit Stuart Broad for six consecutive sixes in a single over during the 2007 T20 World Cup, the fastest fifty in T20I history.

#mascarenhas#five-sixes#yuvraj

Dimitri Mascarenhas Hits Yuvraj Back — 5 Sixes Off One Over

England vs India

2007-09-05

Just days after Yuvraj Singh's six sixes, Dimitri Mascarenhas hit five sixes off one Yuvraj Singh over in an ODI, in a delicious irony that cricket fans loved.

#darrell hair#ball tampering#pakistan

Pakistan Forfeit at The Oval — Darrell Hair Ball-Tampering Row

England vs Pakistan

20 August 2006

Umpire Darrell Hair penalized Pakistan five runs for ball tampering and changed the ball during the fourth Test at The Oval, leading Pakistan to refuse to take the field and becoming the first team to forfeit a Test match.

#ball tampering#forfeited#darrell hair

The Oval Forfeited Test — Ball Tampering Row

England vs Pakistan

17-20 August 2006

Umpire Darrell Hair accused Pakistan of ball tampering. Pakistan refused to take the field after tea, and the match was forfeited — the first forfeiture in Test history.

#inzamam#obstructing#handled the ball

Inzamam Obstructing the Field — 2006

England vs Pakistan

2006

Inzamam-ul-Haq was given out 'handled the ball' in a Test match after instinctively swatting the ball away from his stumps, one of cricket's rarest dismissals.

🚨Explosive

Pakistan Ball Tampering Forfeit at The Oval

England vs Pakistan

20 August 2006

Pakistan forfeited a Test match at The Oval after umpire Darrell Hair penalized them five runs for ball tampering, leading to Pakistan refusing to take the field.

#ball tampering#pakistan#oval

#monty-panesar#fielding#comedy

Monty Panesar's Legendary Fielding Disasters

England vs Various

2006-03-01

England spinner Monty Panesar became famous for his spectacularly poor fielding, with his attempts to stop the ball providing more entertainment than many batsmen.

#adam-gilchrist#squash-ball#glove

Adam Gilchrist's Secret Squash Ball in Glove

Australia vs England

2006-12-16

Adam Gilchrist revealed after his match-winning 57-ball century in the Adelaide Ashes Test that he'd been batting with a squash ball in his glove to improve his grip.

#substitute fielder#ponting#2005 ashes

2005 Ashes — Ricky Ponting's Substitute Fielder Fury

England vs Australia

4 August 2005

Ricky Ponting was furious after being run out by England substitute fielder Gary Pratt during the 2005 Ashes, accusing England of abusing the substitute fielder rule to gain an unfair tactical advantage.

#ashes#edgbaston#kasprowicz

Kasprowicz Glove Catch — Ashes 2005 Edgbaston

England vs Australia

4-7 August 2005

Michael Kasprowicz was given out caught behind in one of the closest Ashes matches ever, but replays suggested his glove was off the bat handle when the ball hit it.

Flintoff vs Ponting — 2005 Ashes Aggression

England vs Australia

4 August 2005

Andrew Flintoff engaged in relentless verbal and physical intimidation of Ricky Ponting throughout the iconic 2005 Ashes series.

#flintoff#ponting#ashes

Brett Lee Hits Flintoff with Vicious Bouncer — 2005 Ashes

England vs Australia

25 August 2005

Brett Lee and Andrew Flintoff engaged in an intense physical battle throughout the 2005 Ashes, with both players targeting each other with short-pitched bowling.

#lee#flintoff#bouncer

#gary-pratt#substitute#ricky-ponting

Gary Pratt the Substitute Fielder Runs Out Ponting — Ashes 2005

England vs Australia

2005-08-25

Unknown substitute fielder Gary Pratt ran out Ricky Ponting with a direct hit, triggering an epic tantrum from Ponting who ranted at the England dressing room as he walked off.

#glenn-mcgrath#ankle-injury#rugby-ball

Glenn McGrath Steps on a Ball and Misses the Edgbaston Ashes Test

England vs Australia

2005-08-04

Glenn McGrath missed the pivotal Edgbaston Ashes Test after stepping on a cricket ball during the warm-up, changing the course of the 2005 Ashes.

🚨Mild

South Africa Ball Tampering Against England 2004

England vs South Africa

26 July 2004

South Africa were accused of ball tampering during the third Test against England at The Oval in 2004, with the ball being replaced by umpires.

#south africa#ball tampering#graeme smith

#england#zimbabwe#boycott

England's Refusal to Play in Zimbabwe — 2003 World Cup

England vs Zimbabwe (forfeited)

13 February 2003

England refused to play their 2003 World Cup group match in Harare, Zimbabwe, citing security and political concerns related to the Mugabe regime, forfeiting crucial points that contributed to their early elimination.

Sachin's Controversial LBW — 2003 World Cup

India vs England

1 March 2003

Sachin Tendulkar was given out LBW off a ball that appeared to be going well over the stumps, sparking outrage among Indian fans.

#sachin#world cup#lbw

#shoaib-akhtar#fastest-ball#celebration

Shoaib Akhtar's Theatrical Fastest Ball Celebrations

Pakistan vs England

2003-02-22

Shoaib Akhtar broke the 100mph barrier in the 2003 World Cup and celebrated with his trademark chain-ripping, arms-spread theatrics that were as entertaining as the delivery itself.

#ganguly#lord's#shirt off

Sourav Ganguly Waves Shirt at Lord's Balcony

India vs England

13 July 2002

Sourav Ganguly removed his shirt and waved it from the Lord's balcony after India's dramatic NatWest Trophy victory, in response to Andrew Flintoff's similar act in Mumbai.

#nathan-astle#double-century#fastest

Nathan Astle's Breathtaking Fastest Double Century

New Zealand vs England

2002-03-15

Nathan Astle scored the fastest double century in Test history in just 153 balls, turning an impossible chase into cricket's most entertaining assault on bowling.

🚨Explosive

Cronje's Fixed Declaration at Centurion

South Africa vs England

18 January 2000

Hansie Cronje engineered a contrived result at Centurion after rain had washed out most of the Test, later revealed to have been done at the behest of a bookmaker in exchange for a leather jacket and cash.

#hansie cronje#centurion#declaration

#ranatunga#murali#emerson

Arjuna Ranatunga vs Ross Emerson — Murali No-Ball Drama

Sri Lanka vs England

23 January 1999

Umpire Ross Emerson called Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing. Captain Arjuna Ranatunga nearly led his team off the field in protest.

#phil-tufnell#fielding#comedy

Phil Tufnell: Cricket's Most Reluctant Fielder

England vs Various

1997-01-01

Phil 'The Cat' Tufnell was so bad at fielding that his nickname was ironic — he earned it for his ability to sleep anywhere, not for his agility.

🚨Moderate

Mike Atherton: Dirt in Pocket Ball Tampering

England vs South Africa

23 July 1994

England captain Mike Atherton was caught on camera applying dirt from his pocket to the ball during the Lord's Test against South Africa, leading to a fine and a crisis of confidence.

#mike atherton#ball tampering#dirt in pocket

#warne#gatting#ball of the century

Gatting's Disbelief — Ball of the Century, 1993

England vs Australia

4 June 1993

While not a controversial decision itself, Mike Gatting's utter disbelief at being bowled by Shane Warne's first ball in Ashes cricket highlighted how umpires and batsmen alike were unprepared for extreme spin.

🥊Mild

Curtly Ambrose Refuses to Remove Wristbands

West Indies vs England

18 November 1993

Curtly Ambrose refused to remove his white wristbands when asked by the umpire, leading to a standoff that required captain Richie Richardson's intervention.

#ambrose#wristbands#umpire

#shane-warne#ball-of-century#gatting

Shane Warne's Ball of the Century — Gatting's Face Says It All

England vs Australia

1993-06-04

Shane Warne's first ball in Ashes cricket spun so viciously from outside leg stump to hit off stump that Mike Gatting's bewildered expression became one of cricket's most iconic images.

#world cup#rain rule#south africa

22 Runs Off 1 Ball — 1992 World Cup Rain Rule

England vs South Africa

22 March 1992

A farcical rain rule calculation left South Africa needing 22 runs off 1 ball in the World Cup semi-final, robbing them of a realistic chance of reaching the final.

#gatting#shakoor rana#finger pointing

Mike Gatting vs Shakoor Rana — Finger-Pointing Fury

Pakistan vs England

8 December 1987

England captain Mike Gatting and umpire Shakoor Rana had a furious finger-pointing row that caused an entire day's play to be lost.

#viv-richards#greg-thomas#sledge

Viv Richards: 'You Know What It Looks Like — Go Find It'

England vs West Indies

1986-07-03

After Greg Thomas told Viv Richards he'd missed the ball, Richards smashed the next delivery out of the ground and told Thomas to go find it.

#apartheid#rebel tours#south africa

Rebel Tours to Apartheid South Africa

South Africa vs England/Sri Lanka/West Indies/Australia rebel XIs

6 March 1982

Multiple international teams sent unofficial rebel squads to play in apartheid-era South Africa, leading to lengthy bans for participating players and deepening cricket's political fault lines.

#crowd-sledge#botham#comedy

Crowd Sledges — 'Oi Botham, Your Mother-in-Law's Driving'

England vs Various

1982-07-01

Cricket crowds have produced some of the funniest sledges in sport, from heckling players about their personal lives to creative musical chants.

Ian Botham's Legendary Off-Field Antics

England vs Various

1981-07-21

Ian 'Beefy' Botham's off-field escapades were as legendary as his on-field heroics, making him cricket's original rock star.

#ian-botham#beefy#antics

#lillee#aluminium bat#brearley

Dennis Lillee's Aluminium Bat Controversy

Australia vs England

15 December 1979

Dennis Lillee used an aluminium bat that damaged the ball. England captain Mike Brearley complained, leading to a 10-minute standoff as Lillee refused to change bats.

#dennis-lillee#aluminium-bat#perth

Dennis Lillee's Aluminium Bat Standoff

Australia vs England

1979-12-15

Dennis Lillee walked out to bat with an aluminium 'Combat' bat, sparking a 10-minute standoff when England captain Mike Brearley complained it was damaging the ball.

#greig#grovel#west indies

Tony Greig's 'Grovel' Comment — West Indies Fury 1976

England vs West Indies

3 June 1976

Tony Greig infamously said he intended to make the West Indies 'grovel,' a comment with racial undertones that provoked an incredible West Indian response.

#basil doliveira#apartheid#south africa

The D'Oliveira Affair — Apartheid Meets Cricket

England vs South Africa (cancelled)

28 August 1968

Basil D'Oliveira's selection for England's tour to South Africa in 1968 was refused by the apartheid government, leading to the tour's cancellation and eventually South Africa's expulsion from international cricket.