From Sky Sports · · 1m 50s
Sandpapergate: Australia's 2018 Ball-Tampering Scandal Explained
Australia returns to South Africa after 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
In brief
Australia returns to South Africa after 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Australia faces Test series in South Africa following 2018 ball-tampering scandal where Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were banned for altering the ball's condition. Originally reported by Sky Sports.
Quick answers
- What was 'Sandpapergate'?
- The March 2018 ball-tampering scandal occurred during Australia's Test tour of South Africa when Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to alter the ball's condition.
- What happened next?
- Smith and Warner stood down from leadership roles but played in the Cape Town Test as Australia slumped to a 322-run defeat after being rolled for just 107 in their second innings.
- Exact punishments?
- Warner received a one-year ban and was barred from leadership roles; Smith got a 12-month ban and was ineligible for leadership roles until 12 months after his ban ended; Bancroft was suspended for nine months.
- What else did players lose?
- Smith and Warner were removed from the 2018 IPL; Bancroft's county cricket deal with Somerset was cancelled; Australia coach Darren Lehmann resigned after the fourth Test.
- Were bans too harsh?
- Former India internationals Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh, broadcaster Mark Nicholas, and Shane Warne argued the sanctions were too severe for the crime.
What was 'Sandpapergate'?
The March 2018 ball-tampering scandal occurred during Australia's Test tour of South Africa when Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to alter the ball's condition.
What happened next?
Smith and Warner stood down from leadership roles but played in the Cape Town Test as Australia slumped to a 322-run defeat after being rolled for just 107 in their second innings.
Exact punishments?
Warner received a one-year ban and was barred from leadership roles; Smith got a 12-month ban and was ineligible for leadership roles until 12 months after his ban ended; Bancroft was suspended for nine months.
What else did players lose?
Smith and Warner were removed from the 2018 IPL; Bancroft's county cricket deal with Somerset was cancelled; Australia coach Darren Lehmann resigned after the fourth Test.
Were bans too harsh?
Former India internationals Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh, broadcaster Mark Nicholas, and Shane Warne argued the sanctions were too severe for the crime.
How does Smith reflect?
Smith described the scandal as traumatic, recalling flashbacks of being mobbed at Johannesburg airport after his ban was announced and feeling 'thrown to the wolves'.
“I felt like I was kind of thrown to the wolves through [Johannesburg] airport.”
What reactions in South Africa?
South African fans may dress up as sandpaper to remind of 'Sandpapergate' but Shaun Pollock expects a non-intense response to Australia's return.
Is more coming?
Cricket Australia remains open to investigating new information, but Bancroft said bowlers needed to be aware the ball was being meddled with.
What it means
Australia faces Test series in South Africa following 2018 ball-tampering scandal where Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were banned for altering the ball's condition.
