CROSSING THE LINE

 

Image Credit- Wisden.

Venue- Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town [March 2018].

The Australian cricket team traveled to South Africa in March 2018 to play four Test matches. Since South Africa's readmission to International Cricket, this was the two teams' first four-Test series. As the third test approached, the series stood at 1-1.  Hence there was a lot to play for both the teams in Cape Town. 

However, on the third day of the test, Australia's Cameron Bancroft was seen on television and on ground displays attempting to rub the ball with a little yellow object during the 43rd over of South Africa's second innings. Furthermore Bancroft was once more seen on TV coverage and on ground-level displays concealing the device in the front of his pants. The umpires then walked up to him and he pulled out a dark microfiber sunglass pouch from his pocket to show them. After inspecting the ball, the umpires made the decision not to award the South African side five penalty runs or offer them the ball to replace if they so desired, as permitted by Law 41.3 of the Laws of Cricket. 

However, Bancroft and Australia's Captain Steve Smith, acknowledged during the post-match conference that Bancroft had been trying to change the ball's condition using a short piece of yellow adhesive tape that had accumulated dirt and grit on it, creating an abrasive surface. After an inquiry by Cricket Australia five days later, he acknowledged it was sandpaper, the stuff cricket players use to keep their bats in good condition. In addition, Smith acknowledged that he was aware of the plan before Bancroft took any action. Smith claimed that the leadership group—which he did not identify—made the strategy during the lunch break. However Smith did acknowledge that it was a major error, though.

Following the incident, South Africa won by an overwhelming 322-run margin as Australians were bowled out for just 107 while chasing a target of 430. Cricket Australia was rattled by the media frenzy that followed, overshadowing the Proteas victory. 

Bancroft was found guilty of a Level 2 offense by the International Cricket Council (ICC), while Smith was accused of undermining the spirit of the game. Smith and Warner resigned as captain and vice-captain after acknowledging the accusations. Furthermore Warner and Smith were both barred from the Indian Premier League that season. Apart from that Smith, Warner, and Bancroft received 12-month bans from Cricket Australia, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban.

Following these events, Tim Paine was named as the Australian Captain. After serving their bans, Warner, Smith, and Bancroft rejoined the Australian team. Warner and Smith made strong comebacks in International Cricket. One piled up runs in the World Cup, whereas the other blew the English in Ashes. However Bancroft failed to make any mark and was thus dropped from the squad. 

Postscript- In the last 4 years the duo of Warner and Smith has won ICC Cricket World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup, ICC Test Championship, Ashes and many more trophies for their country. However the ghost of  Sandpaper Controversy still haunts the Cricketing World.

To know more about that Series, Click Here.