ICC must clarify the laws related to ball tampering: Cook

THE INTERNATIONAL CRICKET COUNCIL (ICC) has often received flak from current and former cricketers for being unclear and inconsistent with its law making. Recently, the South African Test skipper Faf du Plessis was charged with ball-tampering allegations Down Under. 

However, India’s captain Virat Kohli was let off for a similar incident in the ongoing Tests against England. Once again, the double standards of the ICC have been questioned by several fans and pundits across the cricketing fraternity and many are struggling to obtain more clarity on the ball-tampering rules. 

Expressing his thoughts to PTI on the same issue, England skipper Alastair Cook said, 

“I think the players are just looking for the ICC to clarify what is acceptable and what isn't. If a guy is chewing a gum or just throwing jelly beans in his mouth at drinks break and then happens to shine the ball in the next over, it becomes a very grey area."

"If the ICC is saying you must not put your finger on the sweet and then straight onto the ball then it might clear it up. I don't know if it helps or not, to be brutally honest."

Post the Du Plessis incident, team mate Hashim Amla too expressed his concern over the laws of ball tampering and unless the ICC reacts and clarifies the rules, we are likely to see more confusion in the coming days.