A Series of Scandalous in the Crickets World – Part II
Cricket is an old sport that began in the late 16th century. It has become national sports for many countries like Bangladesh and India. Over the history of cricket there are many records of controversies or scandalous reports. Here is part two of the articles and we are going to find out more of these news.
Hansie Cronje Match Fixing
In 2000, the manager of the South African national team Hansie Cronje was reported for match fixing. Hansie Cronje was a South African cricket hero, known for his strength and ability. Unfortunately, his time on the squad was going to finish in shame. The Indian Police found Hansie Cronje was related with an Indian syndicate bookmaker in a recorded communication.
As the probe progressed, further bribes and players were revealed, including Indian Captain Mohammad Azharuddin. Hansie Cronje accepted a $15,000 bribe for himself and agreed to underperform two of his teammates in return for cash. Hansie Cronje was deprived of his captainship and barred from the competition for life. Unfortunately, just two years later, Cronje was killed in a plane accident. It was a sad end to an already frustrating story.
Trevor Chappell’s Underarm Bowling Incident
On the 1st February 1981 was the One Day International Cricket match where Australia is against New Zealand. It was the 3rd match of the Best-of-Five series in the final of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup. Both teams had won each game and New Zealand needed a six to tie the game. That was why Australian captain Greg Chappell told his younger brother Trevor Chappell to employ a divisive tactic. It was permissible under the laws, but it went against the social framework that regulates cricket which renders it a gentleman’s game.
Rather than having a regular bowl, Trevor Chappell used the underarm bowling tactic to deliver and push the ball down the mound, rendering it difficult to reach the boundary for six. The batsman of New Zealand, Brian McKechnie, threw his bat in frustration following the booing sound from the crowd. It was far beyond the context of the playing where the Prime Minister of New Zealand commented that the game was the most disgusting incident he can recall in the history of cricket. Until today, the event is still being debated as a shameful day for the entire community.
