Ball tampering controversy in English county cricket

Last month, even as Warne and Adams went hammer & tongs at each other, it was revealed that most methods of ball tampering were acceptable to the players! The situation became worse when the Surrey team was fined two points after it's players were reported by the umpires for ball tampering during their defeat to Nottinghamshire.

Derek Pringle though makes a case for not overdoing the hype on ball tampering and instead concentrating on resolving the real issues in cricket, such as sledging and slow over rates. He also points out that the laws are in favour of batsmen, so bowlers must not be denied any advantages that they come up with.

While we're at it, lets make chucking also part of the laws. What about changing the rules to allow bowlers to bowl from 18 yards? That delivery would be counted as a no-ball. If there was a wicket, the batsman would be declared out. The batting team would get 5 penalty runs. If there was no wicket, then the batting team would get 10 penalty runs, in addition to the runs scored.

The Botham-Imran feud over Immy calling Beefy a racist originated from Imran's comments that ball tampering was rife in county cricket.

Derek Pringle, yet another Pommie trundler, also feels that the brouhaha on ball tampering is much ado about nothing.

Now Glamorgan's coach has accused a Gloucs bowler of ball tampering.