Australia cricketers have admitted ball tampering in a stunning public confession on Saturday.
Batsman Cameron Bancroft says he attempted to tamper with the ball and captain Steve Smith says the team's senior players planned it.
Bancroft was caught on television cameras holding a small yellow object which he said was a piece of sticky tape to try and tamper with the ball during day three of the third Test against South Africa. Bancroft said he tried to pick up rough granules from the side of the pitch with the sticky tape and rub it on the ball to try and change its condition.
Cameron Bancroft on Day 3 of the 3rd Test between South Africa and Australia. AP
Bancroft said he had been charged with ball tampering by the match officials after the day's play.
Smith said the team's "leadership group" came up with the idea to try and cheat to bring Australia back into the match.
He said coaches did not know about the cheating. In a hugely embarrassing moment for Australian cricket, Smith said he was "not proud at all" but insisted he would not resign the captaincy. The incident, meanwhile, has sent shockwaves across the cricketing world as well as on social media, with many a Twitter user expressing shock over the latest set of developments. Let us take a look at some of the reactions:
My 2cents worth - This will be Darren Lehmann’s greatest test as a coach, cos I will struggle to believe that this was all Bancroft’s idea. #SandpaperGate. — Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) March 24, 2018
Steve Smith constantly threw the ball at Bancroft so he knew full well what was going on. He must be charged alongside him! — Quinton not de Kock (@notdekock) March 24, 2018
The first rule of tampering with the ball is to do it only when you play at home and the broadcaster has your back #SAvAUS — Hemant (@hemantbuch) March 24, 2018
Oh no ! Bancroft. Very embarrassing. From the looks of it, this is not on. Haven't seen a series marred by controversies like this one in a long long time. The Cricket has been great, but this .. #SAvAUSpic.twitter.com/2uNhxtBXTv
Australia cricketers have admitted ball tampering in a stunning public confession on Saturday.
Batsman Cameron Bancroft says he attempted to tamper with the ball and captain Steve Smith says the team's senior players planned it.
Bancroft was caught on television cameras holding a small yellow object which he said was a piece of sticky tape to try and tamper with the ball during day three of the third Test against South Africa. Bancroft said he tried to pick up rough granules from the side of the pitch with the sticky tape and rub it on the ball to try and change its condition.
Cameron Bancroft on Day 3 of the 3rd Test between South Africa and Australia. AP
Bancroft said he had been charged with ball tampering by the match officials after the day's play.
Smith said the team's "leadership group" came up with the idea to try and cheat to bring Australia back into the match.
He said coaches did not know about the cheating. In a hugely embarrassing moment for Australian cricket, Smith said he was "not proud at all" but insisted he would not resign the captaincy. The incident, meanwhile, has sent shockwaves across the cricketing world as well as on social media, with many a Twitter user expressing shock over the latest set of developments. Let us take a look at some of the reactions:
With inputs from AP
Published Date:March 24, 2018
| Updated Date: March 24, 2018
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South Africa vs Australia: Visitors' skipper Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft admit to ball-tampering during 3rd Test
South Africa vs Australia, Highlights, 3rd Test, Day 2 at Cape Town: Visitors trail by 66 runs
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