‘No Ball Tampering’ Stuart Broad’s Multiple Reasonings For ‘Spikes’ Incident Convince Nobody

Day 4 of the second Test between India and England at Lord’s quickly became controversial after two of the cricketers from the hosting side were caught on camera doing something extremely dodgy which many consider to be a clear case of ball tampering. 

In the 35th over of India’s second innings of the match, which was being bowled by pacer Ollie Robinson, two of the English fielders could be seen kicking and stepping on the match ball with their spike shoes because picking it up and throwing it back to the bowler.

What’s is this Ball Tampering Umpires and Refree Sleeping ?#IndvsEng #Balltempering @sachin_rt @cricketaakash @WasimJaffer14 @YUVSTRONG12 @imVkohli @BCCI @ICC @ECB_cricket pic.twitter.com/owOwOlkfiX

— Prashant Rathore (@HonestPrashant) August 15, 2021

The video which was captured by the cameraman at the prestigious cricket ground shows one of the fielders directing the ball towards his teammate with his foot as the other stepped on it with sharp spikes at the bottom of his shoes.

And while the viewers who were watching the unimaginable unfold right in front of their eyes were convinced that whatever was happening wasn’t right, England bowler Stuart Broad was continuously backing up his teammates while giving multiple explanations for the occurrence.

My comments are- Woody tried to nut meg Burnsy by tapping the ball through his legs (a very common occurrence) & he missed and kicked the ball there by accident. Instead of screenshotting the pic, watch the video- quite plain & easy to see

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) August 15, 2021

“My comments are- Woody tried to nut meg Burnsy by tapping the ball through his legs (a very common occurrence) & he missed and kicked the ball there by accident. Instead of screenshotting the pic, watch the video- quite plain & easy to see,” Broad wrote in a Twitter response to a fan who was watching the match and had asked the English cricketer for his comments.

Depends If it was damaged? Exactly the same if it was hit into the stands. If it didn’t make a mark, why change it ?

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) August 15, 2021

“Depends If it was damaged? Exactly the same if it was hit into the stands. If it didn’t make a mark, why change it ?” Broad replied to another who had raised a valid point about the match referees and the umpires failing to step in and take control of the situation and probably replace it with an untampered ball, even if it was unintentional.

Nonetheless, Broad’s justification for what had happened failed to reassure the fans of the Men in Blue who very openly expressed their dissent online:

So that’s how you try to pass the ball by pressing the spike against it!!

Well done.. pic.twitter.com/FcaNf7pQ2C

— Road Rasher (@roadrasher7) August 15, 2021

This is how England bowlers practice in their backyard
Right Mr. @StuartBroad8 pic.twitter.com/olyuV443XH

— Sourabh Negi (@im_sourav146) August 15, 2021

You are right SB , English man can never do wrong but if it was done by Asian…English reporter want him suspended!
Wow how convenient!

— Bharat Patel (@mailbppatel) August 15, 2021

Next time , once a ball is dead we can throw the ball into the stands to get it roughened a bit and term it as a genuine mistake

— AD (@cricadharsh) August 15, 2021

@StuartBroad8 hitting in stands and playing with spikes are two different things…
Just like drinking on ur off days and drinking in dressing room when u r playing match…!!@ICC @BCCI

— A A (@aasinha26) August 15, 2021

Broad, who played in the first Test at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, was eventually ruled out for the remainder of the series after being diagnosed with a calf injury. 

Day 4 ended with India leading by 154 runs but having lost six wickets already. With Rishabh Pant on one end and Ishant Sharma on the other, the southpaw’s ability to play a patient innings will be tested on the final day of the match.