Cricket has been known as a &#8220;gentleman’s game&#8221; since it&#8217;s inception. And, there are numerous incidents to prove the same. However, there also have been certain happenings on the field that might urge people to question the popular belief.

While many of these incidents that put the sport in a bad light, can be attributed to spontaneous actions in response to the high intensity, standoffs on the field, players have been found to have gone out of their way to do certain actions which were deemed as unacceptable by the cricket community.

From racist slurs being hurled to even attempts at tampering the condition of the ball&#8211; cricket has seen it all. And, unfortunately, some of these have taken place in the recent past, bringing a lot of shame to the sport. So, here we will have a look at five such incidents, where players, who are currently active at the highest level, did things they should not have done while carrying the hopes of millions and setting an example at the highest level for the upcoming crop of players.

Here are such five incidents:

1. Warner, Smith and Bancroft&#8217;s involvement in &#8216;Sandpaper Gate&#8217;

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-378997" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Cameron-Bancroft-and-Steve-Smith.jpg" alt="Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-378997" class="wp-caption-text">Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

It came as a huge shock to everyone when the news broke out that the Australian cricket team’s three top players, including their captain and vice-captain, had been involved in a ball-tampering incident. The date was the 24th of March in 2018 when one of the darkest days in Australian cricket unfolded.

After the lunch on Day three of the Test match being played between Australia and South Africa, a clip of Cameron Bancroft was aired on TV. The clip had<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes-2019-cameron-bancroft-named-in-australias-25-man-probable-squad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Cameron Bancroft</a> hiding a piece of what was later confirmed to be sandpaper in his trousers. He was then questioned by the umpires and at that moment, he denied altering the condition of the ball being used. The umpires on further found out that the ball’s condition had been altered deliberately.

In the post-match press conference, Steve Smith and Bancroft, confronted the media, admitting to having attempted to alter the condition of the ball being used, using sandpaper. The matter escalated quickly, with even the Australian Prime Minister getting vocal about it in public. Upon further investigation by Cricket Australia, it was confirmed that Steve and Bancroft, along with David Warner were guilty. And, Smith and Warner were handed year-long bans, and Bancroft was suspended for 9 months.

Even though Smith and Warner are back, playing for the national team, but Bancroft, after getting picked for the 2019 Ashes, hasn’t been seen back in the Australian jersey.

In case you missed it, this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SandpaperGate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SandpaperGate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BallTampering?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BallTampering</a> is utterly outrageous. It’s just not cricket. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BanBancroft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BanBancroft</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z3zpIA32Jr">pic.twitter.com/Z3zpIA32Jr</a>&mdash; Emma Sadleir (@EmmaSadleir) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaSadleir/status/977578505042104320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a>

2. David Warner and Quinton de Kock’s fight in the dressing room

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-228073" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/David-Warner-sledges-Quinton-de-Kock.jpg" alt="David Warner sledges Quinton de Kock" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-228073" class="wp-caption-text">David Warner sledges Quinton de Kock. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

With the intensity of the sport increasing day by day in international cricket, players have often been seen engaging in sledging battles with their opponents. But, what happened on the 5th of March 2018, was more than just a confrontation.

It all started on the field, while the South Africans were batting in a Test match against Australia. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/quinton-de-kock-and-mark-wood-gain-the-most-in-the-latest-icc-test-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Quinton de Kock</a>, who was trying his level best on the 4th day of the test match to get his team through, got some heated sledging from the Australian fielder, David Warner. The two started exchanging verbal blows while on the field. But, things escalated almost to a physical battle between the players in focus when the teams were returning to the dressing room.

In a video that had surfaced later, it could be seen that Warner, all charged up, was constantly speaking aggressively while the two teams were going into the change rooms. The Australian players were trying to control him, but his wrath was at the top level. Quinton too responded to Warner, and it was all set to go physical when the teammates of the two players separated them and prevented what could have been a really ugly incident.

Later, even the families of the two, took it to Twitter to hurl some harsh words on each other, making this event a one to forget and erase from the memories as soon as possible.

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> Cricket SA and Cricket Australia investigating after CCTV footage emerged of Quinton de Kock and Dave Warner in an altercation in the players tunnel at the tea break on day 4. <a href="https://t.co/O7JvU9Ik5S">pic.twitter.com/O7JvU9Ik5S</a>&mdash; Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) <a href="https://twitter.com/CindyPoluta/status/970540405300367360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a>

3. Archer and Buttler caught smiling while Steve Smith lay on the field injured

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-395197" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jofra-Archer-Jos-Buttler-and-Steve-Smith-1.jpg" alt="Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Steve Smith" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-395197" class="wp-caption-text">Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Cricket is a gentleman’s game they say, but this event might make them alter their perceptions a bit. On the fourth day of the second test match of the 2019 Ashes test series, the incident in focus took place. Steve Smith, who wasn’t able to judge Jofra Archer’s bouncer and got hit on the neck, and lay down flat on the field.

And, as everyone would expect, everyone got concerned and rushed to check upon him. But, two gentlemen, by the name of Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer, standing few feet away from the injured player, were caught on camera, sharing a light moment, even in such a serious situation. And as expected, the clip started doing rounds on the internet and the cricketing circles, bringing Archer and Buttler under fire from the cricket community.

The ball had hit Smith almost on the same place, as it had hit <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/josh-philippe-gives-an-epic-reaction-after-his-bizarre-dismissal-against-melbourne-renegades/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Philip Hughes</a>, who had unfortunately passed away after getting hit. So, the situation could have been really serious for Smith, but thankfully it did not escalate to that level. And, when Buttler and Archer were spotted smiling, there was no way they could have escaped from the wrath of the community, which had fans and even former players, not receiving their actions in a nice way.

6 short balls in an over and a half. Where did you think this was going to end up Archer?And you’re cracking up laughing.Shit Bloke<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashes19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashes19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvsAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvsAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/HOS16QUj7R">pic.twitter.com/HOS16QUj7R</a>&mdash; Ed (@terkey76) <a href="https://twitter.com/terkey76/status/1162721848947122178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a>

4. Jos Buttler abusing Vernon Philander on the field

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-387230" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jos-Buttler-and-Vernon-Philander.png" alt="Jos Buttler and Vernon Philander" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-387230" class="wp-caption-text">Jos Buttler and Vernon Philander. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Jos Buttler not being able to control his emotions on the field, has landed him in trouble for multiple times and, this time, he was caught on the stump mic, uttering some cuss words for his Protean opponent, Vernon Philander during a test match. Players while playing in the longest format of the game, tend to have a go at their opponents in order to distract them, but here, Buttler crossed the line.

During the second test of the 4 test match series being played in Cape Town, the England wicketkeeper was recorded on the stump mic, during the live broadcast, uttering some cuss words for Philander, while he was batting. Buttler appeared to have called Philander, a ‘f****** k***head’. The emotions were already running high in a test match as a few other players had already been engaged in a verbal tussle before and this incident did not good.

As the match was being broadcasted live, the words could be heard clearly across the world. The broadcasters at that point in time apologised immediately and turned down the volume of the stump mic. Buttler was fined for using those words on the field, and this event sparked a debate among the cricket community about the importance of stump mic. But the fact of the matter is that players, while on the field with millions of aspiring cricketers watching them should refrain from using such language.

🤬 Jos Buttler had some choice words for Vernon Philander during a tense afternoon at <a href="https://twitter.com/NewlandsCricket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NewlandsCricket</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvENG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvENG</a> <a href="https://t.co/JqT785MrGb">pic.twitter.com/JqT785MrGb</a>&mdash; Sport4U (@SportSA4U) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportSA4U/status/1214556189536608257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2020</a>

5. Sarfaraz Ahmed slurring racist remarks at Andile Phehlukwayo

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-395191" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Andile-Phehlukwayo-and-Sarfraz-Ahmed.jpg" alt="Andile Phehlukwayo and Sarfraz Ahmed" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-395191" class="wp-caption-text">Andile Phehlukwayo and Sarfraz Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Sarfaraz Ahmed, the captain of the Pakistan Cricket team found himself in the midst of the controversy when he was caught on the stump mic, hurling racist remarks at the South African all-rounder, Andile Phehlukwayo during a One Day International match in January of 2019. The match that was being played in Durban, had in it, one of the most embarrassing moments for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/bangladesh-name-14-man-squad-for-rawalpindi-test-against-pakistan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pakistan</a>’s captain.

Phehlukwayo had come on to bat at a time when the South Africans were struggling to chase the target set by the Pakistani team. He managed to get through a couple of good shot and brought the chase back on track for the Proteas.

It was at about this time, that the stump mic, caught the voice of the wicketkeeper and captain of the Pakistan team, Sarfraz Ahmed, shouting aloud some racist comments for the batsman at the crease, Phehlukwayo. Sarfraz could be heard saying,’ Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj?’ which when translated to English meant&#8211; ‘Hey black man, where’s your mom sitting today? What prayer have you gotten her to say today?’

This remark was broadcasted live and landed Sarfraz in the midst of a four-match ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The fans and experts too did not receive this incident well and had their words of criticism in place for Sarfraz. He later apologised twice for doing this, but in retrospect must be thinking that he should not have said it in the first place.

Sarfraz Ahmed to Andile Phehlukwayo &quot;abbay kaale teri Ammi kahan bethi hoyi hain aaj, kya parhwa kay aya hai aaj.&quot; 😂😂Thanks to Ramiz Raja for not translating! <a href="https://t.co/bnITkgRUyV">pic.twitter.com/bnITkgRUyV</a>&mdash; corona virus (@Asifsiraj7) <a href="https://twitter.com/Asifsiraj7/status/1088090716587343873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2019</a>

Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Steve Smith

Cricket has been known as a “gentleman’s game” since it’s inception. And, there are numerous incidents to prove the same. However, there also have been certain happenings on the field that might urge people to question the popular belief.
While many of these incidents that put the sport in a bad light, can be attributed to spontaneous actions in response to the high intensity, standoffs on the field, players have been found to have gone out of their way to do certain actions which were deemed as unacceptable by the cricket community.
From racist slurs being hurled to even attempts at tampering the condition of the ball– cricket has seen it all. And, unfortunately, some of these have taken place in the recent past, bringing a lot of shame to the sport. So, here we will have a look at five such incidents, where players, who are currently active at the highest level, did things they should not have done while carrying the hopes of millions and setting an example at the highest level for the upcoming crop of players.
Here are such five incidents:
<h3>1. Warner, Smith and Bancroft’s involvement in ‘Sandpaper Gate’&nbsp;</h3>
<figure id="attachment_378997" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-378997" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-378997" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Cameron-Bancroft-and-Steve-Smith.jpg" alt="Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-378997" class="wp-caption-text">Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
It came as a huge shock to everyone when the news broke out that the Australian cricket team’s three top players, including their captain and vice-captain, had been involved in a ball-tampering incident. The date was the 24th of March in 2018 when one of the darkest days in Australian cricket unfolded.
After the lunch on Day three of the Test match being played between Australia and South Africa, a clip of Cameron Bancroft was aired on TV. The clip had<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes-2019-cameron-bancroft-named-in-australias-25-man-probable-squad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Cameron Bancroft</a> hiding a piece of what was later confirmed to be sandpaper in his trousers. He was then questioned by the umpires and at that moment, he denied altering the condition of the ball being used. The umpires on further found out that the ball’s condition had been altered deliberately.
In the post-match press conference, Steve Smith and Bancroft, confronted the media, admitting to having attempted to alter the condition of the ball being used, using sandpaper. The matter escalated quickly, with even the Australian Prime Minister getting vocal about it in public. Upon further investigation by Cricket Australia, it was confirmed that Steve and Bancroft, along with David Warner were guilty. And, Smith and Warner were handed year-long bans, and Bancroft was suspended for 9 months.
Even though Smith and Warner are back, playing for the national team, but Bancroft, after getting picked for the 2019 Ashes, hasn’t been seen back in the Australian jersey.
<amp-twitter data-width="500" data-dnt="true" height="694" width="486" layout="responsive" data-tweetid="977578505042104320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"></amp-twitter>


<h3>2. David Warner and Quinton de Kock’s fight in the dressing room</h3>
<figure id="attachment_228073" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-228073" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-228073" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/David-Warner-sledges-Quinton-de-Kock.jpg" alt="David Warner sledges Quinton de Kock" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-228073" class="wp-caption-text">David Warner sledges Quinton de Kock. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
With the intensity of the sport increasing day by day in international cricket, players have often been seen engaging in sledging battles with their opponents. But, what happened on the 5th of March 2018, was more than just a confrontation.
It all started on the field, while the South Africans were batting in a Test match against Australia. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/quinton-de-kock-and-mark-wood-gain-the-most-in-the-latest-icc-test-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Quinton de Kock</a>, who was trying his level best on the 4th day of the test match to get his team through, got some heated sledging from the Australian fielder, David Warner. The two started exchanging verbal blows while on the field. But, things escalated almost to a physical battle between the players in focus when the teams were returning to the dressing room.
In a video that had surfaced later, it could be seen that Warner, all charged up, was constantly speaking aggressively while the two teams were going into the change rooms. The Australian players were trying to control him, but his wrath was at the top level. Quinton too responded to Warner, and it was all set to go physical when the teammates of the two players separated them and prevented what could have been a really ugly incident.
Later, even the families of the two, took it to Twitter to hurl some harsh words on each other, making this event a one to forget and erase from the memories as soon as possible.
<amp-twitter data-width="500" data-dnt="true" height="694" width="486" layout="responsive" data-tweetid="970540405300367360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"></amp-twitter>


<h3>3. Archer and Buttler caught smiling while Steve Smith lay on the field injured</h3>
<figure id="attachment_395197" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-395197" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-395197" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jofra-Archer-Jos-Buttler-and-Steve-Smith-1.jpg" alt="Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Steve Smith" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-395197" class="wp-caption-text">Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Cricket is a gentleman’s game they say, but this event might make them alter their perceptions a bit. On the fourth day of the second test match of the 2019 Ashes test series, the incident in focus took place. Steve Smith, who wasn’t able to judge Jofra Archer’s bouncer and got hit on the neck, and lay down flat on the field.
And, as everyone would expect, everyone got concerned and rushed to check upon him. But, two gentlemen, by the name of Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer, standing few feet away from the injured player, were caught on camera, sharing a light moment, even in such a serious situation. And as expected, the clip started doing rounds on the internet and the cricketing circles, bringing Archer and Buttler under fire from the cricket community.
The ball had hit Smith almost on the same place, as it had hit <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/josh-philippe-gives-an-epic-reaction-after-his-bizarre-dismissal-against-melbourne-renegades/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Philip Hughes</a>, who had unfortunately passed away after getting hit. So, the situation could have been really serious for Smith, but thankfully it did not escalate to that level. And, when Buttler and Archer were spotted smiling, there was no way they could have escaped from the wrath of the community, which had fans and even former players, not receiving their actions in a nice way.
<amp-twitter data-width="500" data-dnt="true" height="694" width="486" layout="responsive" data-tweetid="1162721848947122178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"></amp-twitter>


<h3>4. Jos Buttler abusing Vernon Philander on the field</h3>
<figure id="attachment_387230" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-387230" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-387230" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jos-Buttler-and-Vernon-Philander.png" alt="Jos Buttler and Vernon Philander" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-387230" class="wp-caption-text">Jos Buttler and Vernon Philander. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Jos Buttler not being able to control his emotions on the field, has landed him in trouble for multiple times and, this time, he was caught on the stump mic, uttering some cuss words for his Protean opponent, Vernon Philander during a test match. Players while playing in the longest format of the game, tend to have a go at their opponents in order to distract them, but here, Buttler crossed the line.
During the second test of the 4 test match series being played in Cape Town, the England wicketkeeper was recorded on the stump mic, during the live broadcast, uttering some cuss words for Philander, while he was batting. Buttler appeared to have called Philander, a ‘f****** k***head’. The emotions were already running high in a test match as a few other players had already been engaged in a verbal tussle before and this incident did not good.
As the match was being broadcasted live, the words could be heard clearly across the world. The broadcasters at that point in time apologised immediately and turned down the volume of the stump mic. Buttler was fined for using those words on the field, and this event sparked a debate among the cricket community about the importance of stump mic. But the fact of the matter is that players, while on the field with millions of aspiring cricketers watching them should refrain from using such language.
<amp-twitter data-width="500" data-dnt="true" height="694" width="486" layout="responsive" data-tweetid="1214556189536608257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"></amp-twitter>


<h3>5. Sarfaraz Ahmed slurring racist remarks at Andile Phehlukwayo</h3>
<figure id="attachment_395191" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-395191" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-395191" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Andile-Phehlukwayo-and-Sarfraz-Ahmed.jpg" alt="Andile Phehlukwayo and Sarfraz Ahmed" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-395191" class="wp-caption-text">Andile Phehlukwayo and Sarfraz Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Sarfaraz Ahmed, the captain of the Pakistan Cricket team found himself in the midst of the controversy when he was caught on the stump mic, hurling racist remarks at the South African all-rounder, Andile Phehlukwayo during a One Day International match in January of 2019. The match that was being played in Durban, had in it, one of the most embarrassing moments for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/bangladesh-name-14-man-squad-for-rawalpindi-test-against-pakistan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pakistan</a>’s captain.
Phehlukwayo had come on to bat at a time when the South Africans were struggling to chase the target set by the Pakistani team. He managed to get through a couple of good shot and brought the chase back on track for the Proteas.
It was at about this time, that the stump mic, caught the voice of the wicketkeeper and captain of the Pakistan team, Sarfraz Ahmed, shouting aloud some racist comments for the batsman at the crease, Phehlukwayo. Sarfraz could be heard saying,’ Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj?’ which when translated to English meant– ‘Hey black man, where’s your mom sitting today? What prayer have you gotten her to say today?’
This remark was broadcasted live and landed Sarfraz in the midst of a four-match ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The fans and experts too did not receive this incident well and had their words of criticism in place for Sarfraz. He later apologised twice for doing this, but in retrospect must be thinking that he should not have said it in the first place.
<amp-twitter data-width="500" data-dnt="true" height="694" width="486" layout="responsive" data-tweetid="1088090716587343873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"></amp-twitter>

Cricket has been known as a &#8220;gentleman’s game&#8221; since it&#8217;s inception. And, there are numerous incidents to prove the same. However, there also have been certain happenings on the field that might urge people to question the popular belief.
While many of these incidents that put the sport in a bad light, can be attributed to spontaneous actions in response to the high intensity, standoffs on the field, players have been found to have gone out of their way to do certain actions which were deemed as unacceptable by the cricket community.
From racist slurs being hurled to even attempts at tampering the condition of the ball&#8211; cricket has seen it all. And, unfortunately, some of these have taken place in the recent past, bringing a lot of shame to the sport. So, here we will have a look at five such incidents, where players, who are currently active at the highest level, did things they should not have done while carrying the hopes of millions and setting an example at the highest level for the upcoming crop of players.
Here are such five incidents:
<h3>1. Warner, Smith and Bancroft&#8217;s involvement in &#8216;Sandpaper Gate&#8217; </h3>
<figure id="attachment_378997" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-378997" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-378997" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Cameron-Bancroft-and-Steve-Smith.jpg" alt="Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-378997" class="wp-caption-text">Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
It came as a huge shock to everyone when the news broke out that the Australian cricket team’s three top players, including their captain and vice-captain, had been involved in a ball-tampering incident. The date was the 24th of March in 2018 when one of the darkest days in Australian cricket unfolded.
After the lunch on Day three of the Test match being played between Australia and South Africa, a clip of Cameron Bancroft was aired on TV. The clip had<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ashes-2019-cameron-bancroft-named-in-australias-25-man-probable-squad/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Cameron Bancroft</a> hiding a piece of what was later confirmed to be sandpaper in his trousers. He was then questioned by the umpires and at that moment, he denied altering the condition of the ball being used. The umpires on further found out that the ball’s condition had been altered deliberately.
In the post-match press conference, Steve Smith and Bancroft, confronted the media, admitting to having attempted to alter the condition of the ball being used, using sandpaper. The matter escalated quickly, with even the Australian Prime Minister getting vocal about it in public. Upon further investigation by Cricket Australia, it was confirmed that Steve and Bancroft, along with David Warner were guilty. And, Smith and Warner were handed year-long bans, and Bancroft was suspended for 9 months.
Even though Smith and Warner are back, playing for the national team, but Bancroft, after getting picked for the 2019 Ashes, hasn’t been seen back in the Australian jersey.
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In case you missed it, this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SandpaperGate?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SandpaperGate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BallTampering?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BallTampering</a> is utterly outrageous. It’s just not cricket. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BanBancroft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BanBancroft</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z3zpIA32Jr">pic.twitter.com/Z3zpIA32Jr</a>
&mdash; Emma Sadleir (@EmmaSadleir) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmmaSadleir/status/977578505042104320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<h3>2. David Warner and Quinton de Kock’s fight in the dressing room</h3>
<figure id="attachment_228073" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-228073" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-228073" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/David-Warner-sledges-Quinton-de-Kock.jpg" alt="David Warner sledges Quinton de Kock" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-228073" class="wp-caption-text">David Warner sledges Quinton de Kock. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
With the intensity of the sport increasing day by day in international cricket, players have often been seen engaging in sledging battles with their opponents. But, what happened on the 5th of March 2018, was more than just a confrontation.
It all started on the field, while the South Africans were batting in a Test match against Australia. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/quinton-de-kock-and-mark-wood-gain-the-most-in-the-latest-icc-test-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Quinton de Kock</a>, who was trying his level best on the 4th day of the test match to get his team through, got some heated sledging from the Australian fielder, David Warner. The two started exchanging verbal blows while on the field. But, things escalated almost to a physical battle between the players in focus when the teams were returning to the dressing room.
In a video that had surfaced later, it could be seen that Warner, all charged up, was constantly speaking aggressively while the two teams were going into the change rooms. The Australian players were trying to control him, but his wrath was at the top level. Quinton too responded to Warner, and it was all set to go physical when the teammates of the two players separated them and prevented what could have been a really ugly incident.
Later, even the families of the two, took it to Twitter to hurl some harsh words on each other, making this event a one to forget and erase from the memories as soon as possible.
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> Cricket SA and Cricket Australia investigating after CCTV footage emerged of Quinton de Kock and Dave Warner in an altercation in the players tunnel at the tea break on day 4. <a href="https://t.co/O7JvU9Ik5S">pic.twitter.com/O7JvU9Ik5S</a>
&mdash; Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) <a href="https://twitter.com/CindyPoluta/status/970540405300367360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<h3>3. Archer and Buttler caught smiling while Steve Smith lay on the field injured</h3>
<figure id="attachment_395197" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-395197" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-395197" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jofra-Archer-Jos-Buttler-and-Steve-Smith-1.jpg" alt="Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Steve Smith" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-395197" class="wp-caption-text">Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler and Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Cricket is a gentleman’s game they say, but this event might make them alter their perceptions a bit. On the fourth day of the second test match of the 2019 Ashes test series, the incident in focus took place. Steve Smith, who wasn’t able to judge Jofra Archer’s bouncer and got hit on the neck, and lay down flat on the field.
And, as everyone would expect, everyone got concerned and rushed to check upon him. But, two gentlemen, by the name of Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer, standing few feet away from the injured player, were caught on camera, sharing a light moment, even in such a serious situation. And as expected, the clip started doing rounds on the internet and the cricketing circles, bringing Archer and Buttler under fire from the cricket community.
The ball had hit Smith almost on the same place, as it had hit <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/josh-philippe-gives-an-epic-reaction-after-his-bizarre-dismissal-against-melbourne-renegades/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Philip Hughes</a>, who had unfortunately passed away after getting hit. So, the situation could have been really serious for Smith, but thankfully it did not escalate to that level. And, when Buttler and Archer were spotted smiling, there was no way they could have escaped from the wrath of the community, which had fans and even former players, not receiving their actions in a nice way.
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6 short balls in an over and a half. Where did you think this was going to end up Archer?
And you’re cracking up laughing.
Shit Bloke<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashes19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashes19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvsAUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvsAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/HOS16QUj7R">pic.twitter.com/HOS16QUj7R</a>
&mdash; Ed (@terkey76) <a href="https://twitter.com/terkey76/status/1162721848947122178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<h3>4. Jos Buttler abusing Vernon Philander on the field</h3>
<figure id="attachment_387230" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-387230" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-387230" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jos-Buttler-and-Vernon-Philander.png" alt="Jos Buttler and Vernon Philander" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-387230" class="wp-caption-text">Jos Buttler and Vernon Philander. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Jos Buttler not being able to control his emotions on the field, has landed him in trouble for multiple times and, this time, he was caught on the stump mic, uttering some cuss words for his Protean opponent, Vernon Philander during a test match. Players while playing in the longest format of the game, tend to have a go at their opponents in order to distract them, but here, Buttler crossed the line.
During the second test of the 4 test match series being played in Cape Town, the England wicketkeeper was recorded on the stump mic, during the live broadcast, uttering some cuss words for Philander, while he was batting. Buttler appeared to have called Philander, a ‘f****** k***head’. The emotions were already running high in a test match as a few other players had already been engaged in a verbal tussle before and this incident did not good.
As the match was being broadcasted live, the words could be heard clearly across the world. The broadcasters at that point in time apologised immediately and turned down the volume of the stump mic. Buttler was fined for using those words on the field, and this event sparked a debate among the cricket community about the importance of stump mic. But the fact of the matter is that players, while on the field with millions of aspiring cricketers watching them should refrain from using such language.
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🤬 Jos Buttler had some choice words for Vernon Philander during a tense afternoon at <a href="https://twitter.com/NewlandsCricket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NewlandsCricket</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvENG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvENG</a> <a href="https://t.co/JqT785MrGb">pic.twitter.com/JqT785MrGb</a>
&mdash; Sport4U (@SportSA4U) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportSA4U/status/1214556189536608257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<h3>5. Sarfaraz Ahmed slurring racist remarks at Andile Phehlukwayo</h3>
<figure id="attachment_395191" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-395191" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-395191" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Andile-Phehlukwayo-and-Sarfraz-Ahmed.jpg" alt="Andile Phehlukwayo and Sarfraz Ahmed" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-395191" class="wp-caption-text">Andile Phehlukwayo and Sarfraz Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
Sarfaraz Ahmed, the captain of the Pakistan Cricket team found himself in the midst of the controversy when he was caught on the stump mic, hurling racist remarks at the South African all-rounder, Andile Phehlukwayo during a One Day International match in January of 2019. The match that was being played in Durban, had in it, one of the most embarrassing moments for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/bangladesh-name-14-man-squad-for-rawalpindi-test-against-pakistan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pakistan</a>’s captain.
Phehlukwayo had come on to bat at a time when the South Africans were struggling to chase the target set by the Pakistani team. He managed to get through a couple of good shot and brought the chase back on track for the Proteas.
It was at about this time, that the stump mic, caught the voice of the wicketkeeper and captain of the Pakistan team, Sarfraz Ahmed, shouting aloud some racist comments for the batsman at the crease, Phehlukwayo. Sarfraz could be heard saying,’ Abey kaale, teri ammi aaj kahaan baitheen hain? Kya parwa ke aaye hai aaj?’ which when translated to English meant&#8211; ‘Hey black man, where’s your mom sitting today? What prayer have you gotten her to say today?’
This remark was broadcasted live and landed Sarfraz in the midst of a four-match ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The fans and experts too did not receive this incident well and had their words of criticism in place for Sarfraz. He later apologised twice for doing this, but in retrospect must be thinking that he should not have said it in the first place.
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Sarfraz Ahmed to Andile Phehlukwayo &quot;abbay kaale teri Ammi kahan bethi hoyi hain aaj, kya parhwa kay aya hai aaj.&quot; 😂😂
Thanks to Ramiz Raja for not translating! <a href="https://t.co/bnITkgRUyV">pic.twitter.com/bnITkgRUyV</a>
&mdash; corona virus (@Asifsiraj7) <a href="https://twitter.com/Asifsiraj7/status/1088090716587343873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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From racist slurs being hurled to even attempts at tampering the condition of the ball-- cricket has seen it all.

5 times when current players brought shame to cricket

From racist slurs being hurled to even attempts at tampering the condition of the ball-- cricket has seen it all since its inception