{
  "id": 10671725,
  "title": "Rank the biggest scandals in Test cricket history",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/rank-the-biggest-scandals-in-test-cricket-history",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-29T10:48:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rank-biggest-scandals-test-cricket-102452204.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "1. Bodyline: In the 1932-33 tour of Australia, England employed a controversial tactic known as Bodyline, where their fast bowlers aimed to intimidate Australian batsmen with short-pitched deliveries. This controversial strategy sparked diplomatic tension between the two nations and was widely criticized.\n\n2. D Oliveira Affair: In 1968, Basil D Oliveira, a mixed-race all-rounder, was set to play for England in a tour of South Africa. However, South Africa's apartheid policy led to D Oliveira being initially left out of the squad before being called in as a replacement. This incident resulted in the tour being canceled and had a lasting impact on South African cricket.\n\n3. Headingley Ashes: During Australia's 1975 Ashes series in England, George Davis, an Australian cricketer serving a jail sentence for armed robbery, was targeted by a group of supporters. Graffiti and oil were poured onto the pitch, leading to the abandonment of the third Test and a controversial defeat for Australia.\n\n4. World Series Cricket: In the mid-1970s, Australian media mogul Kerry Packer established his own cricket league, World Series Cricket (WSC), in response to the Australian Cricket Board's refusal to allow live cricket on commercial television. WSC featured high-profile players and introduced innovations like colored clothing and night cricket, which significantly impacted the sport.\n\n5. Shakoor Rana Incident: During England's 1987 tour of Pakistan, the match in Faisalabad was marred by the presence of Pakistani umpire Shakoor Rana. Rana's perceived interference in field placements led to a confrontation with England captain Mike Gatting, and Rana eventually refused to take the field. This incident caused mistrust and eventually led to the tour's cancellation.",
  "summary": "As memories of sandpapergate are rekindled by Australia's upcoming tour of South Africa, rank the biggest scandals in Test cricket's history.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Rank the biggest scandals in Test cricket history",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/rank-the-biggest-scandals-in-test-cricket-history-10678839",
        "published": "2026-09-29T10:48:31.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}