Should Ball-Tampering be Legal in Cricket?

If a player tries to alter the condition of the ball by using an external substance to gain an undue advantage, it falls under the ball tampering.

Any sports is best played when there is an even contest between its different aspects. However, we have seen in the last one decade that cricket has tilted more towards the batsmen.

The bats have become larger even though changes were made last October. The boundary ropes have come in; two balls are often being used which takes out the reverse swing option entirely.

Furthermore, the T20 form of the game has given more confidence to the international batters. Thus, the bowlers of this generation must be thinking that they have chosen the wrong profession in their life.

Dinesh Chandimal was recently charged with the ball tampering when he was caught on camera while applying an external substance on the ball. However, the Sri Lankan refused to accept his charge and thus he has challenged the ICC decision.

The Game is skewed in favour of the batsmen.

Therefore, there is no doubt that game has skewed towards the batsmen. Thus, to make things even between bat and ball should the ball-tampering made legal?

It should be noted that external materials are banned, and they should not be allowed to alter the condition of the ball anyway. So what are the options by which the bowlers can get the ball to talk more?

As the other conditions are not providing them with any aid, it would not be fair to kick them out of the contest.

We saw England obliterate Australian bowlers as they smashed them to the all the corners of the park at Trent Bride in the 3rd One Dayer. The host’s batters clobbered 41 fours and 21 sixes in their ODI highest total of 481. Thus, the records were shattered.

However, it went on to shatter the confidence of the Australian bowlers as well. There was nothing in the pitch and the Aussie bowlers were at the receiving end. Consequently, it leaves a negative impact on the morale of the players. Thus, the bowlers were treated like bowling machines.

In fact, the former New Zealand skipper, Sir Richard Hadley was in favor of tampering the ball. The Kiwi fast bowler was of the opinion that bowlers should be given the freedom of using their nails to alter the condition of the ball in hand.

The limitations were laid on the bat size last year, but it wasn’t able to create a powerful impact. The game is drifting away in one direction, and it is not a positive sign for the beautiful game. Thus, the bowlers should get something on which they can work on.

Recently, Australia’s Steven Smith and David Warner got banned for one-year after the Cape Town Test. However, Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month ban.

Consequently, the trio received bans from Cricket Australia after the outrage of media and fans. In fact, the ICC, which gives a one-Test ban has also stated to tighten the screws on the ball-tampering issues. However, further details are yet to be announced by the governing body,

In fact, there are also loopholes in unveiling the ball-tampering scandals. Out of the 12 ball tampering scandals that have come to the fore, 11 are against the visiting team players. Thus, it goes to show the role of the broadcasters who favor their team players during the particular game.

Bowlers should also be given their chances.

Furthermore, the pitches prepared these days are a paradise for the batsmen. There is no swing and seam in the new white balls, and the ball doesn’t grip the surface.

Consequently, the batsmen can hit through the line and the bowlers can scratch their head in disarray.

In fact, there needs to be a way for the international bowlers. Ergo, the governing body must take measures which should help to balance the game. However, there is no doubt that the batsmen are over-weighted in this see-saw game.

ICC wants to make cricket a global sport, and thus they must not veer off the track. Yes, everyone wants to see entertainment but the game should not also become predictable.