In the ongoing third test match between South Africa and Australia, the visitors have found themselves right in the middle of a controversy. A very shameful one too. The Aussies were always known to be guys who would do anything to win a game of cricket, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine they would stoop to such low levels.
Bancroft and Smith spoke at the press conference after the day’s play and they confessed their crimes. They seemed apologetic, but saying sorry shouldn’t be the end of this as ball tampering is cheating, and is as good as match fixing or spot fixing. For now, both captain and vice-captains have stepped down but the investigation is underway.
Have a look at what happened:
FULL VIDEO OF @cbancroft4 #BALLTAMPERING. There is no doubt. From the yellow item down the trousers to @darren_lehmann sending a message on-field GUILTY! @officialcsa @ESPNcricinfo @icc BAN AND FINE should have changed ball #savaus pic.twitter.com/8LLToUECWa
— Neal Collins (@nealcol) March 24, 2018
Smith at a press conference:
"I'm sorry and I'm absolutely devastated." ?
An emotional Steve Smith breaks down as he apologises for cheating. pic.twitter.com/23JnvbrV3d
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 29, 2018
Here’s what Cameron Bancroft said at the conference:
“We had a discussion during the break and on myself I took an opportunity to use some tape, get some granules from the rough patches on the wicket and try to change the ball condition. It did not work. The umpires did not change the ball but once I was cited on the screens I panicked quite a lot and that resulted in me shoving it down my long trousers.”
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Cheers!