15 ball-tampering controversies that shook the cricketing world

#9 Stuart Broad and James Anderson (2010)

Merely 'absent-minded'

The lethal England pace duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson was accused of ball tampering during the drawn third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Broad was filmed treading on the ball, while Anderson appeared to be picking at the seam, prompting South Africa to raise concerns with the match referee.

Both the pacers rejected the accusations and strongly defended themselves as neither of them was charged.

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#10 Shahid Afridi (2010)

Biting the ball

In one of the most bizarre incidents of ball-tampering, Shahid Afridi Afridi was caught by TV cameras biting the ball during the fifth ODI between Australia and Pakistan in Perth.

The act was reported by the TV umpire to the on-field umpires and after a hearing with the match referee Ranjan Madugalle, Afridi pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Pakistan all-rounder's initial explanation was that he was "trying to smell it and how it was feeling". Although he later apologised and expressed regret for his actions, he was banned for two Twenty20 Internationals.