2013 Year in Review: The biggest cricket controversies of the year

James Anderson’s ‘Dubitable’ Reverse Swing:

James Anderson

Right before the start of the Ashes during the ICC Champions Trophy, James Anderson, the pick of the English bowling attack found himself fending off questions raised about his reverse swinging deliveries with the new ball, without any weathering. What made the allegations sound plausible were facts that leading fast bowlers from other countries were facing problems when it came to executing reverse swing in the harsh English conditions. Though Anderson continued to maintain that he was getting the desired results without any underhanded tactics, the matter still continues to linger on, unresolved.

David Warner’s Slapping Saga:

Warner woes!

The ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Australia sure went England’s way but not without sparking off a few telling stories of ‘sour grapes’ syndrome. A night out at a pub following the match saw Australian batsman David Warner punch Joe Root in the wee hours of the morning that saw him getting axed from the already-hapless Australian squad for what was left of their Champions Trophy outing till the first Ashes Test.

Though Warner apologised for his conduct then, his taunting comments on Jonathan Trott’s departure from the English team during the Australian leg of the Ashes spoke of retaliation, leading to yet another round of heated arguments between England and Australia.