Top 10 cricketing controversies of the decade

With the evolution of technology and also the sport, the spotlight is constantly on the cricketers. Almost every move and every step of theirs is tracked. There is media everywhere, be it on or off the field.

Thus, controversies are bound to happen. In fact, they have become a part and parcel of the game. Nowadays, small issues or small things tend to blow up and become big controversies. Moreover, the cricketers are considered role models, both on and off the field and any wrong step does put them under immense pressure.

There were multiple instances of cricketing controversies throughout this decade. Right from the first year of the decade (2010), big controversies came out.

Thus, with this decade coming to an end, we look at 10 of the top controversies to have headlined the sport.

Boundary count rule in the WC 2019 final and the umpiring blunder

The 2019 World Cup final was a cliff-hanger. There was pressure all around. Be it the players from both sides or even the match officials. One decision and it could cost either of the teams’ big time. And there was one such decision.

With 15 needed off the final over, Ben Stokes played a couple of dot balls before smashing a vital six to bring the equation down to 9 off the last three balls. On the fourth ball, he turned a full toss to deep midwicket and rushed back for two. While running the second, the throw from the deep (by Martin Guptill) hit Stokes’ bat and deflected away for four. Six runs were added to the total.

However, a few days later, former umpire Simon Taufel pointed out that it should’ve been only five runs as the batsmen hadn’t crossed at the time of the throw. On-field umpire for the final Kumar Dharmasena admitted that it was a judgemental error.

The scores were later tied and England batted first in the Super Over. They scored 15 and New Zealand had to score 16 to win the final. If the scores were tied again, England would’ve won based on the boundary count. That’s how it panned out and England became World Champions on the virtue of hitting more boundaries.

This rule was criticized heavily. Fans lashed out on social media and everyone felt for New Zealand who were at par with England on all counts.