Allegations of ball-tampering surfaced on the third day of the Australia-South Africa third Test after Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using a tiny yellow paper-like object to scrub the ball, which he later flung inside his trouser. Later in the day, Bancroft admitted that he used yellow tape to try and change ball condition.
After the day's play, Australia captain Steven Smith made a revelation that the 'leadership group knew about it. We came up with a plan and I am not proud of it.'
Earlier, sensing something was wrong, the on-field umpires decided to stop play and asked him to remove the item. While Bancroft claimed he was wiping the ball with his black sunglass wiper, the South African camp sensed a foul play.
READ: Bancroft has questions to answer
Before the umpires intervened, South Africa captain Faf du Plessis saw Bancroft’s action on television in the dressing room and gestured to his team-mates. It was clear that Bancroft was using an external object perhaps to alter the condition of the ball.
Moments later, South Africa speedster Dale Steyn, who was watching the day’s play from the stands, took to Twitter to point out that Bancroft was indeed using a yellow paper object. Posting a photo, Steyn wrote: “Can we talk about this?”
Former England cricketer, Kevin Pietersen indicated that Bancroft had actually used a sandpaper to wipe the ball. “#SandpaperGate is going to be a monster,” he tweeted.
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