Summary
Illegally altering the condition of the cricket ball is a serious offence. Players may shine the ball using natural substances but cannot use artificial materials, scratch, or pick at the seam.
Full Explanation
Ball tampering is governed by Law 41.3 (previously Law 42.3) and is classified as a Level 2 offence under the ICC Code of Conduct.
Legal ball maintenance: - Polishing the ball on clothing - Using sweat to shine the ball (saliva banned since 2020 due to COVID) - Drying a wet ball with a towel
Illegal ball tampering: - Using artificial substances (sandpaper, mints, lip balm, sunscreen) - Scratching or roughening the ball with fingernails or zippers - Picking at or lifting the seam - Biting the ball - Using dirt or any foreign substance
Penalties for ball tampering under ICC rules: - 5 penalty runs awarded to the batting team - The ball is changed - The player is reported for a Level 2 Code of Conduct breach - Can result in match fee fines and suspension
Cricket boards can impose additional penalties. Cricket Australia imposed 12-month bans on Smith and Warner during Sandpapergate — far exceeding the ICC's standard penalties.
Key Points
- •Level 2 offence under ICC Code of Conduct
- •5 penalty runs awarded to batting team
- •Ball is changed immediately
- •Saliva banned since 2020 (COVID protocols)
- •Natural sweat and clothing polish are legal
- •Individual cricket boards can impose harsher penalties
Notable Controversies
- •Sandpapergate 2018 — Bancroft used sandpaper, Smith and Warner received 12-month bans
- •The Oval 2006 — Darrell Hair accused Pakistan, leading to the first Test forfeiture
- •Mike Atherton's dirt in pocket incident (1994)
- •Faf du Plessis caught using zipper (2016) and mint (2013) on the ball
- •Shahid Afridi caught biting the ball on camera (2010)
- •Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and reverse swing allegations
Related Rules
5 Penalty Runs
5 penalty runs are awarded for specific offences including ball tampering, fake fielding, deliberate short runs, time wasting, and the ball hitting a fielder's helmet on the ground.
Reverse Swing
When an old ball swings in the opposite direction to conventional swing — a phenomenon mastered by Pakistani bowlers and often linked to ball tampering allegations.
Saliva Ban on Ball
Saliva is permanently banned from being used to shine the cricket ball. Introduced as a COVID-19 health measure in 2020, the ban was made permanent in 2022.