The Ashes, the oldest, most intense, passionately contested rivalry in cricket. Being the battle of supremacy since 1882, the battle between England and Australia reaches beyond sport and becomes a war between national pride, history and sporting tradition together. However, together with amazing centuries, astounding catches and memorable spells, the Ashes has brought something more sinister—controversy. The blowups that split the opinion, gave rise to international incidents and at times even jeopardized the core of cricketing relationship between these countries. From risky bowling strategies that were the source of diplomatic crises to the currents of debate over sportsmanship, the Ashes has been where some of the most striking scenes in the history of cricket have occurred. These scandals show something deep about sport in that, when the stakes are high and the emotions are high, the boundary between competitive spirit and unacceptable behavior is perilously blurred. There were weird and strange ones, some acts that were truly dangerous and some which were morally wrong. All left indelible marks. We discuss seven controversies that were hyped, dominated the news, and will forever alter our perception of the greatest rivalry in the world of cricket below. The Biggest Ashes Controversies: Moments That Shocked Cricket Fans 1. The Bodyline Shocker (1932-33) Image Source : Firstpost The final cut-off point of Ashes scandal. Nothing matches it. England captain Douglas Jardine devised a strategy with the sole aim of countering the tremendous run scoring of Don Bradman in the Australian home series that ran in 1932-33. The short-pitched deliveries thrown by fast bowlers were aimed at the body of batters directly and packed leg-side fields that were placed to catch defensive prods. It was legal at that time and what is legal is what is moral. The plan succeeded, —Bradman went down in average,— but at what price? Batters were seriously injured. There were diplomatic frictions that turned into a serious danger between Britain and Australia. The series almost ruined the cricketing relations completely. Future tours were threatened to be cancelled by Australia. The scandal made the regulators of cricket reconsider the rules of bowling on a radical level. Bodyline was not only controversial but it was downright unsafe, unsporting as well as it is the darkest moment in cricket. Also Read | The Most Selfish Players in Cricket: Controversies and Debates 2. Aluminium Bat Incident, Dennis Lillee (1979-80) Image Source : Getty Images This is something bizarre does not quite cover. Perth, 1979-80 Test. Dennis Lillee walked out with an aluminium bat that was produced by his friend. There were no restrictions against metal bats at the time, which is why Lillee viewed it as being quite legal. England captain Mike Brearley vehemently differed claiming that the bat had destroyed the leather of the ball. According to the heated debates, Lillee was ordered to switch by umpires. He furiously refused. This was finally interfered with by captain Greg Chappell who convinced his teammate to do so. Lillee's response? He threw the aluminium bat out in dramatic anger and made one of the most surreal moments in cricket. The episode showed that cricket can be ridiculous at times—controversies are not always related to cheating in a game or violence but merely to the inexplicable strangeness. Rules then clarified bat materials, so that there was no repetition. 3. Stuart Broad, Not Walking Incident (2013) Image Source : Getty Images Trent Bridge, 2013. Stuart Broad edged Ashton Agar directly to Michael Clarke at the slip through the gloves of Brad Haddin. Crystal clear deflection. Umpire Aleem Dar was able to somehow not to give it out. Broad, aware that he had edged it, did not walk. He stayed. Further batting controversially. Scored 65 crucial runs. England won by just 14 runs. Australia broke out in indignation. The event sparked heated discussion on matters of sportsmanship — should batters walk when they are certain they are out, or should they believe umpires? Broad justified himself by saying that it is not the requirement of players to walk. Australia did not accept it amicably. The scandal pointed out to the changing morals of cricket during the DRS age. Some said Broad pragmatic; some unsporting they called him. The debate continues today. 4. Michael Clarke's Threat to James Anderson (2013-14) Image Source : Getty Images Brisbane. Opening Test. Final spell. Tensions boiling. Australian captain Michael Clarke was caught on stump microphones giving the chilling threat to England's James Anderson: Get ready to have your arm broken. The remark was appalling to audiences all over the world. This was no sort of jesting or sporting about — this sounded like severe and hostile menace. Headlines screamed outrage. The trade sparked controversy on the acceptable limits of sledding. What is the limit of competitive intimidation? The words by Clarke predetermined one of the most aggressive, violent series of Ashes played. It is a wake-up call to all of us that sporting rivalries, no matter how fierce they could be, should have limits. A degree of aggression boosts competition; threatening to kill borders on madness. The incident is one of the most startling moments in the field of cricket. 5. Racism Allegation by Moeen Ali (2015) Image Source : Getty Images Cardiff, first Test, 2015. Moeen Ali played a great role, 77 runs five wickets in the English victory of 169 runs. There was something unsettling behind that performance. Moeen said an Australian player called him Osama, a racist remark which alludes to Osama bin Laden. It was reported by Moeen later on in the series. The accused player refuted all of it, citing his Islamic friends as his defense. The very response itself was outrageous. The accusation revealed that cricket is still contaminated with racism and discrimination. The management of the situation by the Cricket Australia left some significant questions concerning accountability and guardianship of targeted players. The episode was a wakeup call to all that even cricket was not above the ugliest biases of the society. Racist abuse has no excuse in terms of competitive intensity at all. Never. The scandal is still unsolved leaving that series in the shade. 6. Tim Paine's Texting Scandal (2021) Image Source : theGaurdian It was only 19 days prior to the 2021-22 Ashes when Australian cricket faltered. Captain Tim Paine stepped down following the publication of explicit text messages that he had sent to one of his female colleagues in 2017. Cricket Australia had already investigated and swept it under the carpet. Why did it resurface now? The timing wrecked the Australian preparations. The ensuing series was overshadowed by the resignation crisis of Paine which dominated headlines. The scandal put awkward questions regarding accountability of leadership, transparency in the organization and judgment by Cricket Australia. How did Paine get the appointment as captain despite this investigation? It was not only Paine himself who was in the spotlight of controversy: it revealed how the misconduct accusations were handled systematically. Australia entered the Ashes under a high level of scrutiny where the chaos in leadership undermined their preparations for the campaign. It is a controversy which occurred off-field; some occur on-field. 7. Stumping at Lord’s Jonny Bairstow (2023) Image Source : Getty Images The most explosive argument in cricket nowadays. Lord's. Final ball of an over. Jonny Bairstow evaded a bouncer, and then strolled out of his crease in the belief the ball was dead. Alex Carey believed otherwise. He gathered at once and hurled at the stumps. Bairstow was out. Third umpire made it legal. Lord's erupted. Boos cascaded. England players responded angrily. The incident tore apart the game of cricket. Was Carey being shrewd with cricketing awareness or was it against the spirit of the game? Formally legal, ethically dubious? Opinions split violently. Opportunism was denounced by some, and Carey was lauded as alert. The fuss brought out the inherent conflict of cricket in terms of tension between the written laws and the unwritten ethics. So where does competitive advantage turn into unsporting conduct? The debate rages on. Also Read | IPL 2025's Biggest Moments & Controversies Till Match 12 Conclusion These seven scandals show the real nature of the Ashes, a confrontation so fierce that feelings are often in control over reason. Since the real threat to Bodyline was to the spirit of the game, as Bairstow had called it, every event had brought out the unceasing dilemma in cricket of how to balance competition with behavior. Controversies caused by some of them were due to unsafe tricks, others due to dubious sportsmanship, some due to scandals with off-field issues. They all had one thing in common: they eclipsed the cricket itself, dominated the headlines and split opinion across the globe. The Ashes elicit such fervour that the participants, managers and spectators sometimes lose sight. Still, these situations also encouraged some positive shifts — improved regulations, more precise guidelines, increased accountability. Although it is not what we want, controversy at times pushes forward. With England and Australia still engaging in their historic rivalry, controversies are bound to take place in the future. Hopefully, the excesses of history will not be repeated due to the lessons learned. And the best thing to do with cricket and its biggest competition is not to scandalize it but to hold it in esteem.