Ball Tampering Scandal in Cricket: Ethics and Social Responsibility

This report discusses the ball tampering scandal in cricket and the ethics and social responsibility involved. It covers the punishments and consequences, international responses, and impact on the accused players.

Running head: ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Ethics and social responsibility
Name of the student
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1ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Abstract
Ball tampering is one of the major issues being emerged in the recent time in cricket. This further
get amplified with the incident happened in the last test series between South Africa and
Australia in March, 2018. Captain and vice captain of Australia along with a new player are the
main accused in the case and they are given ban for 12 months and 10 months respectively.
However, there are differences in opinion regarding the strictness of the punishment by different
cricketing stars. Thus, a controversy is there regarding their punishment.

2ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Involved stakeholders......................................................................................................................3
Punishments and consequences.......................................................................................................4
International responses....................................................................................................................4
Australian cricketers association.................................................................................................4
International players....................................................................................................................5
Impact on the accused players.........................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
Reference.........................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
Ethical issues are not only limited to the business organizations but also they are well
evident in the sporting events. This is due to the fact that in the current time, there are number of
issues such as doping and fixing are emerging in different sports. With the increase in the
competition in sporting events, probability of initiating unethical practices is ever increasing.
One of the major incidents emerged in the recent time is the ball tampering issue during the
cricket series of Australia and South Africa. It happened in March 2018. The issue emerged
during the third test match between the two countries. It was caught in the television camera that
Cemeron Bancroft, a new and young player playing for Australia roughing up the side of the
cricket ball in order makes it more vulnerable to swing (Fuss, Subic and Mehta 2013). The main
objective for doing this is to create difficulty for South Africa to bat and wining the match. The
more will be the swing of the ball, the more will be difficult to bat.
Though the objective was clear and ethical of wining the match, but the strategy or
method taken is unethical in nature. This caused huge outrage in public and forced the
administration to take stringent steps against the guilty. However, the further investigation on the
incident lead to know that there are number of players and support staffs associated with the
incident. This report will discuss about the supported and unsupported persons involved in the
incident. Moreover, the reasons behind these will also be discussed in this report.
Involved stakeholders
Involved stakeholders in the incident are mainly the top two players of the Australian
cricket team including their captain and new player. The top two players are Steve Smith, captain
of Australia cricket team and David Warner, the vice captain of Australian cricket team

4ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
(www.theguardian.com 2018). The other player is Cameron Bancroft. The other indirect
stakeholder involved in the case is Darren Lehmann. He is also accused due to the reason that he
is also involved in the case and he is one who has initiated the idea. They are the main accused in
the case and the only stakeholders involved in the entire process.
Punishments and consequences
All the involved stakeholders are being given punishments including termination of three
players on an immediate effect. In the later stage, a fully fledged investigation was conducted by
Cricket Australia and found all the three players guilty. However, it was also found that Darren
Lehmann, coach of the Australian cricket team is not involved in the case and thus being
acquitted (BBC Sport 2018). However, Darren Lehmann quit his job after the series with South
Africa. On the other hand, Steve Smith and David Warner are terminated from their position of
captain and vice captain respectively. Moreover, both Steve Smith and David Warner are also
banned from the cricketing action for the next 1 year. They will not be able to play any domestic
or international matches for the next 1 year. In addition Cameron Bancroft is given 10 months
term of restriction from playing international and domestic cricket.
International responses
Australian cricketers association
Following the sentences against the accused, there are number of responses came from
different eminent personalities especially from the retired cricketing stars around the world.
Some supported the sentences while some of them are against it. However, it should be noted
that no one supported the main accusations against the trio due to the reason that of the key
stakeholders involved with the game of cricket came to the conclusion that the unethical

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practices initiated by them are against the integrity of the game and it adversely affected the
goodwill of the same. According to them, this incident is also insulting for the spectators and the
audiences of the game. It is like betrayal with them. However, the differences in opinion got
emerged due to the reason that according to some, the punishment given to them is much harsh
and strict (NewsComAu 2018). The most negative response came from the Australian Cricketers
Association that has give the opinion that though the player have done wrong but the process of
trail against is them is not fair and full of flaws. Moreover, they have also stated that as the
representative organization of the welfare of the Australian first class players, it is their
responsibility to provide legal support for the accused.
The main reason behind this kind of response from the Australian Cricketers Association
is mainly due to the reason that this association was created for the welfare of the players and
their core objective is to support the players in case of any unwarranted incidents. They are only
one who is representing the Australian players over others.
International players
There are number of present and past cricketing players came in support or against
verdict. One of the notable supports came from the Faf Du Plessis, captain of South Africa. His
opinion holds more value due to the reason that he is the captain of the team against whom the
ball tampering incident happened. According to him, Steve Smith as a captain is responsible for
the entire incident but the punishment given to him is more than enough. According to him,
Steve Smith is one of the most genuine and is one of the good guys in place. The major reason
for giving opinion against the verdict is the reason that Du Plessis being in the same position of

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Steve knows the different factors and considerations that force in initiating unethical behaviors
and that may not be initiated intentionally.
On the other hand, the Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has given the opinion
that the right decision is being taken. According to him, it is much important to maintain the
integrity of the game and initiating of unethical practices should not be tolerated at any way.
Thus, according to him, strict punishment given by Cricket Australia will help to convey the
message that integrity of the game is much important than the momentous need of winning a
particular match (Philpott 2018). However, he also gave the opinion that the accused have
already went through enough criticisms and thus they can now be given a second chance.
The most negative comments came from Herschelle Gibbs and Ian Chappel. According
to both of them, decision taken against them is right and perfect and the accused players should
not be given any second chance. Ian Chappel went a step further and told that after the
completion of the 12 months ban, Steve Smith should be given the opportunity of captaincy due
to the fact that he already lost the respects of the players as well as of the audiences.
Impact on the accused players
Steve Smith and David Warner are considered as the top two names in the current
Australian cricketing scenario. Thus, banning them for 12 months from every form of cricket
will reduce their cricketing career to a large extent. Currently, the age of David Warner is 33 and
after the 1 year ban, he will be of 34 years of age. Thus, it may be difficult for him to continue
his cricketing career after the completion of the ban period. On the other hand, Steve Smith is
one of the technically sound players in the current Australian cricket team. Thus, after the
completion of the ban, he may not be able to continue his form due to the lack of contact with the

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competitive cricket. The major loss for Cameron Bancroft is the loss of the early years in his
cricketing career. He is about to start his career and this early dent will restrict his future growth.
After showing consistent form in the domestic cricket, he got the call from the national team.
However, after the completion of the 10 months ban, he will have to again start from scratch and
prove his eligibility in the national team.
Apart from all these, another major loss for the trio is the social loss of their reputation
and status. This is due to the reason that accusation of ball tampering against them caused huge
public outrage and social criticisms. They have lost their respects in the social environment. In
addition, they all have to carry the tag of initiator of unethical practices in the cricketing field in
their entire life.
Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded that the trio are wrong in every way possible and the integrity
of the game is the utmost important to maintain. However, it can also be said that the verdict
against them can be taken by considering their previous records rather than just evaluating them
based on one incident. They should be given punishment in order to set an example but the
punishment should be given to rectify them rather than ending their entire career. Thus, it is
concluded that the months of ban should be reduced by 6 months and they should be given a
second chance in restarting their careers. This will enable them to realize their shortcomings and
will also be able to rectify them. Thus, this will only meet the objective of rectifying the accused
rather than make them isolated from the outer world. Moreover, the reduction of the sentences
will save the starting career of Cameron Bancroft.

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Reference
BBC Sport. (2018). www.bbc.com. [online] Available at:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/43638316 [Accessed 30 Apr. 2018].
Fuss, F., Subic, A. and Mehta, R., 2013. Solid mechanics and aerodynamics of cricket
balls. Routledge Handbook of Sports Technology and Engineering.
NewsComAu. (2018). www.news.com.au. [online] Available at:
http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/ball-tampering-saga-moises-henriques-sheds-light-on-
david-warner-cameron-bancroft/news-story/76bacfd3b1edc60408c6c58a9a395f87 [Accessed 30
Apr. 2018].
Philpott, S., 2018. The politics of purity: discourses of deception and integrity in contemporary
international cricket. Third World Quarterly, 39(4), pp.677-691.
www.theguardian.com. (2018). www.theguardian.com. [online] Available at:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/apr/04/steve-smith-accepts-cricket-australia-ban-for-
ball-tampering [Accessed 30 Apr. 2018].