Naive To Think Teams Hadn’t Tried To Tamper With The Ball Before The Sandpapergate: Mickey Arthur

Renowned and experienced international coach Mickey Arthur has opened up on the recent discussions around the ball-tampering activity. One of the biggest cases of ball-tampering emerged in 2018 when Australian opener Cameron Bancroft tried to change the condition of the ball to gain reverse swing using sandpaper and was caught. As a result, Bancroft, David Warner, the mastermind, and Steve Smith, the then captain, faced lengthy bans from international cricket. Mickey Arthur remarked that the action has been going on for quite a long time.

Ball-tampering barged itself in the news when Cameron Bancroft indicated in an interview with the Guardian that the bowlers knew about it as the knowledge extended beyond three players. Based on his revelations, Cricket Australia decided to reopen the investigation; however, the bowlers, who were part of that match, yet again denied their involvement. The board later announced that Bancroft said he was satisfied with their investigations.

Mickey Arthur claimed that people would be naive to think that players were not using sweeteners to give the ball a buff before the ball-tampering saga emerged. The former Pakistan head coach believes that at present, people are on the edge and too frightened to try anything like that. Arthur revealed that the umpires check the ball every two overs to see the condition of the same.

“You’d be naive to say otherwise. You’d be naive to think teams hadn’t tried some sweets to sweeten up your saliva to give the ball a buff – teams were doing that. [Now] I think everybody’s just a little bit on edge. I do think people are too scared to try anything. The ball is being checked numerous times in any game. Every couple of overs the ball goes to the umpire and he has a look at it,” Arthur told the Sydney Morning Herald.

I think reverse swing is an incredible art: Mickey Arthur

Mickey Arthur, who currently coaches Sri Lanka, wishes to see reverse swing back in play legally, stating it is an incredible art and it is a fabulous skill for any bowler to have. The South African believes that only few sights are better than a paceman getting the ball to reverse at a good pace.

“I would like to see a reverse swing back in the game without a doubt. I think reverse swing is an incredible art. When a bowler gets it to go it’s an incredibly good skill. Obviously, we’re talking about getting the ball to go legally. It’s amazing to watch. There’s no better sight than when a fast bowler is running in and getting the ball to reverse at good pace,” the 53-year old added.

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