'Cricket,' the so called gentlemen's game.Â
The restoration of the English monarchy in the 17th century paved the way for sports like cricket to evolve.Â
The Nobility revered the game of cricket, as it fuelled countless opportunities to gamble - how fitting.
In light of the recent controversial bribery confession of Zimbabwean cricketing idol Brendan Taylor, this was a man who had not been paid in eight months. It's a tragic tale.
The red flag was there, yet Taylor and many before him couldn't resist the lure.
This is Part 1 of some of the most controversial moments in cricket history.
Let's dive into the underbelly of cricket.
2. Basil D'Oliveira Affair (1968, number 12)
The Basil D'Oliveira Affair created an unimaginable snowball which led to severe ramifications down the track. D'Oliveira, who was born in Cape Town, emigrated to England in 1960.
He was a fabulous stroke maker and had just come off a career-best score of 158 in the 5th Test of the 1968 Ashes. He was contentiously dropped from England's 1968-69 touring side to South Africa as the South African side refused to play against a cricketer who was mixed-race.Â
England, in response, canceled the tour with the affair becoming the catalyst for South Africa's banishment from International sport.
D'Oliveria played another 26 Test Matches for England, scoring 1512 runs at 36.
