Is this proof of ball tampering?

[DomainK]

Got this image somewhere and I have been told that it was on the front page of an daily called the "London Metro"



Can someone from there confirm?

[DomainK]

Someone told me that the photograph was taken after the ball was changed. Has someone read the newspaper?

[Pete]

Pakistan didn't have the time to tamper with the ball in India apprently.

http://www.sportinglife.com/cricket/...an_Afridi.html

[cantplaycantalk]

Originally Posted by DomainK

Someone told me that the photograph was taken after the ball was changed. Has someone read the newspaper?

So having already been penalised for ball tampering, they continued to tamper with the ball?

Does it matter if this was before or after? If it is tampering (and it is only one still photo) then it is tampering. You would tend to think that if they have been once penalised for tampering and are so offended that they should even be accussed of such a heinous crime, then they would be very careful not to commit said crime in the immediate aftermath? Or perhaps this form of cheating is so endemic within the Pakistan team that they do it automatically and do not even realise they are doing it?

So why does it matter if they are tampering before or after, except that if it was afterwards then they are obviously totally flouting the rules and deserve much more severe penalties.

[Beny]

He's pulling off the loose bits of material! I do it all the time... The fact that this was reported by a minor newspaper tabloid and hase'nt been picked up by the mainstream media suggests its all a load of bull.

[gibbs_fan]

Originally Posted by cantplaycantalk

So having already been penalised for ball tampering, they continued to tamper with the ball?

Any club cricketer knows that that is not ball tampering. He is not even using his nail. He is using his fingers to pick off the loose pieces of seam.

If any valid picture of ball tampering was found, it would be played 24 hours a day on Sky and BBC not to mention the front page of every major english newspaper.

[cantplaycantalk]

As I said it is "one still photo", I also pointed out that they would be mad to continue "tampering" after being pulled up for it.

My post was meant to point out that even photo's or video footage would not necessarily be cast iron proof.
The fact is it could show someone removing grass from the ball, or it could equally show someone raking his nail across the ball, or pushing it into the ball. Neither you nor I can tell from the photo, any more than we would necessarily be able to tell the difference between brushing away the grass or scrtching the surface from a short video clip.
It is for this reason that the decision is with the umpire, in his OPINION, and not requiring any more proof than the condition of the ball and the umpires experience.

Oh and for your information, while I was never a particularly talented player the reason that I cannot play is down to injuries with both the knee and shoulder, I cannot land and twist when bowling, I am as immobile as Trescothic in the crease, I cover the ground like Phil Tufnell in the outfield, and have a poor throwing arm to boot as a result of these injuries. But hey I still LOVE the game, I love it's combination of strategy, tactics, talent, flair, grit, determination and the humour and fun that go with it. I start every year with the total confidence in my team(s) and largely end the year feeling that next year will be better.
That I think makes me a fan of the game as a whole, and makes my views every bit as valid as those of the people I envy so much, the ones who have both the talent and continuing good health to be able to play the game.
It also I think qualifies me to pass comment when the actions of said individuals bring the sport that I love into disrepute.
What qualifies you to disrispect me? A big mouth? A closed mind? A conviction that anyone who disagrees with your opinion is wrong and cannot have any valid points?
To some people (and I do not necessarily include you) No amount of proof will convince them that something they do not wish to believe to be true is not in fact so, and to those people whatever decision the ICC reach on this will either be a cover up (if not in their favour) or a totaly fair and reasonable outcome (if they agree with it) or a political fudge (if it goes both ways.)

Given that just about nothing that anyone could produce would be accepted as solid proof by some fans we are left with having to accept the judgement of the Umpires and the match referee, which Pakistan refused to do, and it is the refusal to accept the rulings of the umpires, and if necessary raise any disagreements with the match referee which have resulted in this whole sorry mess.

[Wanderer]

Just my 5p worth...

But isn't this the same paper that printed the doctored pics of Iraqi prisoners being abused by American soldiers?

Just asking...

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by gibbs_fan

You obviously dont play cricket and I can see why. Your name sums it up. Any club cricketer knows that that is not ball tampering. He is not even using his nail. He is using his fingers to pick off the loose pieces of seam.

Well thank you for offering your vast knowledge in regards to the laws of cricket gibbs fan. Unfortunately, they seem to contridict the laws of cricket according to the ICC and MCC

Law 42 (Fair and unfair play)
3. The match ball - changing its condition
(a) Any fielder may
(ii) remove mud from the ball under the supervision of the umpire
(b) It is unfair for anyone to rub the ball on the ground for any reason, interfere with any of the seams or the surface of the ball, use any implement, or take any other action whatsoever which is likely to alter the condition of the ball, except as permitted in (a) above.

[DomainK]

I dont think gibbs_fan was talking literally about the laws as you have quoted. If you see someone doing something with the ball that might change the way it swings, you would know. In the above picture, I dont think the fingers of the fielder is close enough to the seam for us to assume that he is tampering with the ball.....of course the law, as you have quoted in your post, doesnt allow you to clean the ball without asking the umpire, but we know that mere cleaning of a ball does not hange the way it behaves.