Test cricket’s scandals put to a public vote

Yahoo Sports has invited readers to rank ten of Test cricket’s most famous scandals, with the results due to be revealed on the Test Match Special podcast. The poll revisits the sport’s history as memories of “sandpapergate” return ahead of Australia’s upcoming tour of South Africa.

The report says Australia’s first Test in South Africa since the ball-tampering scandal begins on 9 October. It describes the tour as the first since the controversy rocked cricket eight years ago.

Among the cases highlighted is Bodyline, England’s 1932–33 tactic of directing hostile short-pitched bowling at Australia in an effort to contain Donald Bradman. The approach drew criticism as unsporting and against cricket’s spirit. England won the series 4–1.

The 1968 D’Oliveira Affair followed Basil D’Oliveira’s selection for England’s planned South Africa tour. His inclusion was criticised in South Africa, and the tour was cancelled little more than a week later. The report says South Africa then spent two decades out of international cricket.

The list also includes the 1975 Headingley incident, during an Ashes series in England. Yahoo’s supplied account begins with England 1–0 down but does not provide further details of the incident. The vote remains open, with readers asked to rank the scandals rather than endorse a completed list.