Ball tampering

Ball tampering in cricket refers to the illegal manipulation of the cricket ball to alter its condition, thereby affecting how it behaves during play. Players may scratch, scuff, or polish the ball to make it swing or seam more, which can give a significant advantage to the bowling side. This practice is against the rules of cricket and is considered cheating. Governing bodies such as the International Cricket Council (ICC) impose strict penalties for ball tampering to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the game.