Dawid Malan has sparked fresh controversy around one of cricket’s most enduring flashpoints—ball tampering—after suggesting that a tightly controlled version of it should be permitted. The former England batter raised the idea during the Strategic Timeout segment on BBC Test Match Special, linking the conversation to reverse swing, death-over bowling, and the ongoing debate about whether modern T20 has tipped too far in favour of batters.
Malan’s proposal and the debate it reignited
Malan’s comments did not appear in a vacuum. He was responding to a recent Pakistan Super League incident involving Fakhar Zaman, who received a sanction after being found guilty of changing the condition of the ball during Lahore Qalandars’ game against Karachi Kings. The matter drew extra attention because Lahore were also penalised with a deduction of five penalty runs, quickly turning the episode into one of the most discussed topics across the league.
Speaking on the show, Malan said he believes the sport should “legalise” the practice in principle, adding a clear caveat that players should not import anything from outside. He framed it as a skill in its own right—specifically, the ability to encourage reverse swing.
- Malan argued that people should be allowed to “scratch the ball” in a controlled and legal manner.
- He cautioned that no external items should be brought in for the purpose.
- He described reverse swing as a technique that bowlers can develop, not merely a result of misconduct.
- He suggested cricket has long seen attempts to manipulate the ball “for years,” and that the issue should not be treated as if it only belongs to secrecy or scandal.
Why the idea appeals to bowlers—especially at the death
At the centre of Malan’s position is an attempt to restore balance in a format where batting has increasingly dominated, particularly in the final overs. He maintained that reverse swing can meaningfully change matches at the death, where bowlers often have very little margin for error against batters who now combine power with athletic range during the last phase of an innings.
In Malan’s view, allowing bowlers to rough up the ball within defined boundaries would tighten contests and make games more competitive, rather than relying on batters simply overpowering the final overs with superior skill and intent.
But the rules—and the codes—leave little room for it
While Malan’s argument is essentially about giving bowlers a fairer path, it collides directly with cricket’s existing lawbook. Under MCC Law 41.3, players are not permitted to alter the ball’s condition in ways that go beyond sanctioned actions. Those approved methods include polishing the ball on clothing, removing mud with umpire supervision, and drying the ball using a permitted cloth.
The ICC Code of Conduct also treats altering the condition of the ball as an offence. That includes scraping the surface, tampering with the seam, or applying artificial substances in any form.
- MCC Law 41.3 restricts changes to the ball to approved actions only (polishing on clothing, removing mud under umpire supervision, and drying with an approved cloth).
- The ICC Code of Conduct classifies ball-condition alteration as misconduct.
- Conduct listed as part of the offence includes scratching the ball, interfering with the seam, and using artificial substances.
“You shouldn’t be doing it”—yet Malan wants cricket to rethink
What makes Malan’s stance especially notable is the way he acknowledges the present reality of the game. He effectively admitted that under current regulations, “you shouldn’t be doing it.” However, he went further by arguing that the sport should reconsider the rule itself—an approach that reopens a discussion cricket has often tried to keep buried, even as teams continue to chase the tactical advantages that reverse swing can bring.
