One of cricket's most controversial umpires who no-balled Muralitharan for throwing and accused Pakistan of ball tampering at The Oval.
26 incidents documented
Pakistan vs India / ICC
February 2025
India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy forced the ICC to implement an unprecedented 'hybrid model' — with India's matches relocated to Dubai — generating fierce debate about the politicisation of cricket and the ICC's impartiality as a governing body.
Pakistan vs New Zealand
29 January 2016
Mohammad Amir's return to international cricket after serving a five-year spot-fixing ban divided the cricket world, with some praising rehabilitation and others arguing convicted fixers should never return.
West Indies vs England
2016-04-03
After Carlos Brathwaite hit four sixes to win the T20 World Cup Final, Marlon Samuels celebrated by draping himself in a blanket-like flag and sitting in a chair with his feet up.
Pakistan
15 January 2016
Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir's return to international cricket in 2016 after serving a five-year ban for spot-fixing divided opinion on whether redemption should be offered to match-fixers.
Pakistan vs Australia
2015-03-20
Wahab Riaz bowled a ferocious spell at Shane Watson in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final, complete with death stares, near-misses, and theatrical confrontations that became compulsive viewing.
Chennai Super Kings / BCCI / ICC
28 March 2014
N. Srinivasan was forced to step aside as BCCI president due to conflict of interest after his son-in-law's arrest for betting, though he went on to become ICC Chairman.
India, Australia, England vs Rest of Cricket World
8 February 2014
India, Australia, and England pushed through a radical ICC restructuring that gave them a vastly disproportionate share of revenue and governance power, undermining smaller cricketing nations.
Australia vs England
2010-12-26
England's Barmy Army mercilessly mocked Mitchell Johnson's moustache and bowling with a song that became one of cricket's most famous terrace chants.
Australia vs India
17 January 2008
A young Ishant Sharma bowled a magical spell to Ricky Ponting at Perth, laughing at the Australian captain after beating him repeatedly.
Australia vs India
2008-01-06
Steve Bucknor's string of poor decisions in the infamous 2008 Sydney Test became so comically one-sided that even neutral fans were laughing in disbelief.
Sri Lanka vs Various
2007-03-23
Lasith Malinga's unique round-arm slinging action, combined with his wild curly hair, made him one of cricket's most visually entertaining bowlers.
England vs Pakistan
17-20 August 2006
Umpire Darrell Hair accused Pakistan of ball tampering. Pakistan refused to take the field after tea, and the match was forfeited — the first forfeiture in Test history.
England vs Pakistan
20 August 2006
Pakistan forfeited a Test match at The Oval after umpire Darrell Hair penalized them five runs for ball tampering, leading to Pakistan refusing to take the field.
England vs Pakistan
20 August 2006
Umpire Darrell Hair penalized Pakistan five runs for ball tampering and changed the ball during the fourth Test at The Oval, leading Pakistan to refuse to take the field and becoming the first team to forfeit a Test match.
England vs South Africa
26 July 2004
South Africa were accused of ball tampering during the third Test against England at The Oval in 2004, with the ball being replaced by umpires.
Various
2003-02-01
New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden became famous for his flamboyant, theatrical umpiring style including his signature 'crooked finger of doom' dismissal.
Pakistan vs England
2003-02-22
Shoaib Akhtar broke the 100mph barrier in the 2003 World Cup and celebrated with his trademark chain-ripping, arms-spread theatrics that were as entertaining as the delivery itself.
Sri Lanka vs England
23 January 1999
Umpire Ross Emerson called Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing. Captain Arjuna Ranatunga nearly led his team off the field in protest.
Sri Lanka vs Various
1 January 1996
Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action was questioned repeatedly over a decade, leading to fundamental changes in cricket's throwing laws and biomechanical testing protocols.
Australia vs Sri Lanka
26 December 1995
Umpire Darrell Hair no-balled Muttiah Muralitharan seven times for a suspect bowling action during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, sparking a massive controversy.
Australia vs Sri Lanka
26 December 1995
Umpire Darrell Hair called Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing seven times during the Boxing Day Test, igniting one of cricket's longest-running controversies.
Australia vs Sri Lanka
26 December 1995
Australian umpire Darrell Hair no-balled Muttiah Muralitharan seven times for throwing during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, igniting one of cricket's longest-running controversies.
England vs South Africa
23 July 1994
England captain Mike Atherton was caught on camera applying dirt from his pocket to the ball during the Lord's Test against South Africa, leading to a fine and a crisis of confidence.
England vs South Africa
1994-08-20
After being hit on the helmet by Fanie de Villiers, Devon Malcolm told South Africa 'You guys are history.' He then took 9/57 — the best bowling figures by an England fast bowler in Test history — to bowl South Africa out for 175.
Australia vs Various
1993-01-01
Merv Hughes, the moustachioed Australian fast bowler, was famous for his creative and hilarious sledging that often left batsmen and teammates in stitches.
England vs Australia
1993-06-04
Shane Warne's first ball in Ashes cricket spun so viciously from outside leg stump to hit off stump that Mike Gatting's bewildered expression became one of cricket's most iconic images.