XtraTime Web Desk: Ball tampering issue shook the whole cricketing world as Australian skipper Steve Smith admitted that his team mate Cameron Bancroft tampered the ball during the third test against South Africa and also said, “This is the first time it has happened” but a video came out where Bancroft was seen pouring spoonful of sugar in pocket while the players were getting ready to go on to the ground during the Ashes series where Australia won 4-0.
various theories have started to float that suggest Bancroft might have used the sugar in the same manner as he used the granules from the rough patches on the wicket in Newlands and try to change the ball condition.
Here’s Cameron Bancroft appearing to put sugar in his pocket against England in January… pic.twitter.com/ju6W47PECc
— David Coverdale (@dpcoverdale) March 24, 2018
Smith however felt very embarrassed and took the responsibility for the action of his team. This incident led skipper Smith and vice captain David Warner to step down from their roles as wicketkeeper Tim Paine selected as the skipper of the Aussie team for the remaining match.
Smith has been banned for a match while Bancroft has been fined 75% of his match fee and handed three disciplinary demerit points by the ICC.
Two senior CA officials — head of integrity Iain Roy and high-performance manager Pat Howard urgently went to South Africa to lead the investigation process “All Australians, like us, want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings as a matter of priority,” Sutherland said, addressing his statement in parts to a cricket-mad Australian public shocked by the admission to cheating from their team.