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What Is Sandpaper Scandal? The Ball Tampering Incident That Tainted Australia Cricket

Akshita Patel

Cricket Australia were rocked with Sandpaper Scandal in 2018 [Source: @JacaNews/X.com]Cricket Australia were rocked with Sandpaper Scandal in 2018 [Source: @JacaNews/X.com]

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The Australian cricket team found itself into a major controversy in 2018 when allegations emerged that major players had resort to unfair tactics. Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft used sandpaper to scratch the ball against South Africa in what turned out to be one of the most scandalous incidents in Australia's cricket history.

During the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, South Africa dominated the proceedings. AB de Villiers and Aiden Markram put up a stellar fight, frustrating the Australian bowlers with scores of 63 and 84, respectively.

With the Proteas firmly in control, Cameron Bancroft was caught by cameras rubbing the ball with a yellow object. Initially claiming it was a microfiber cloth, it was later revealed during a press conference that sandpaper was used to alter the ball's condition. 

When Australia used unfair means vs South Africa in Test

In a big revelation, David Warner and Steve Smith were revealed as the masterminds of the act. Both Warner and Smith admitted their roles in devising the plan, while Bancroft confessed to carrying it out. 

The scandal sparked a media frenzy, and the whole nation erupted in outrage. Australia, which was already doing very badly in the game, lost with a margin of 322 runs, and its morale was crushed further by the scandal's impact. Cricket Australia responded sharply and levied severe penalties on the players. 

Smith and Warner were banned from playing cricket for 12 months while Bancroft was suspended for nine months. Besides, Warner was barred from captaincy for the rest of his life. Smith and Warner resigned from their captaincy roles, and Tim Paine was appointed as the new Test captain with a hope of rebuilding the integrity of the team.

Besides, ICC also imposed charges on players, and Steve Smith was charged for breaching the Spirit of the Game and Bancroft was given a Level 2 offense.

After the controversy, Smith and Warner returned to international cricket, regaining their places in the Australian team, but Bancroft could not regain his form and was soon out of the team.