Bodyline controversy 

Championed by the English cricket team for its 1932 tour of Australia, bodyline bowling was actually a cricketing tactic. The concept was to ball (and literally scare) Australian batsmen by delivering the ball at their body. The effect was considered very un-healthy and actually controversial, as injury could have resulted thanks to it. In those times too, cricket was considered as a gentlemen’s game; but that particular series changed that perception. After the incident, significant laws were changed to accommodate a cleaner cricket.