Rubbing it the wrong way - the most famous ball tampering incidents in cricket

Michael Atherton in 1994 – Dirt in the Pocket!

Mike Atherton – Dirt in the Pocket, Mike?

The English make the most noise whenever anything goes wrong in the cricket world. However, in 1994, their own captain, Michael Artherton, was caught on the wrong foot. Artherton was accused of ball tampering during a Test match with South Africa at Lords in 1994.

The television cameras caught the England captain reach into his pocket and then rubbing some dirt on the ball during the change of overs.

Artherton was hauled up by Peter Burge, the match referee at the end of day’s play and within 24 hours Artherton had to appear in a press conference to present his side of the story.

In front of the press, an irritated Atherton clearly denied tampering with the ball and claimed that he had dirt in his pocket to get the sweat off and dry his hands.