Ball Tampering Scandal: On this day in 2018, these players embarrassed the Gentleman’s game
AUS vs SA, Test, 2018: The year 2018, the month of March and the grounds of Cape Town. This was that dark day in the history of cricket, which hardly anyone would be able to forget. In the third Test match played between South Africa and Australia, Cameron Bancroft put the Gentleman’s Game to shame along with Steve Smith and Warner.
Kangaroo players had tampered with the ball :-
Behrendorff was caught red-handed tampering with the ball during South Africa’s innings. Bancroft used sand paper to polish the ball and his misdemeanor was caught on camera.
It was seen in the video that the kangaroo batsman took out sand paper from his pocket and applied it on the ball. Behrendorff was not the only culprit, but captain Steve Smith and David Warner had planned the execution of this shameful incident.
Smith-Warner was banned for one year :-
Cricket Australia took strict action against all the three Kangaroo players and banned Bancroft, Warner and Smith. Smith had to lose the captaincy, while Warner was stripped of the responsibility of vice-captain and both were banned for one year. On the other hand, Bancroft was also banned from participating in international and domestic cricket for 9 months.
Also Read:- Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan can get hosting, special plan made for India’s matches
Smith-Warner wept bitterly :-
While giving a press conference, Steve Smith apologized for his poor act in front of the media and started crying bitterly. Smith had said that he would remember his mistake for the rest of his life and perhaps with time people would be able to forgive him. Not only Smith, but Warner also broke down in tears while interacting with the media.
Cricket Australia had also apologized :-
This controversy of ball tampering shook the cricket world and the image of Cricket Australia was also tarnished everywhere. Smith and Warner had to face criticism from every corner of the world. Along with this, Cricket Australia also issued a statement apologizing to World Cricket.
Also Read:- The SRH Team Player Named Best T20 Player Of The Year Before IPLv