Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister of Australia, has reacted to the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ and has said that he is disappointed on what happened during the third day’s play between Australia and South Africa,
“We all woke up this morning shocked and bitterly disappointed by the news from South Africa. It seemed completely beyond belief that the Australian cricket team had been involved in cheating. After all, our cricketers are role models and cricket is synonymous with fair play. How can our team engage in cheating like this? It beggars belief. There’s a lot of disappointment,” he told reporters.
The Australian cricket team, especially Cameron Bancroft and Steven Smith, finds itself in the dock after Bancroft used sandpaper to tamper the ball.
He was rubbing it over the ball and was caught during the third day’s play.
It was after the incident was aired on the big screen when he was caught.
The Australian opener tried to hide it in his pants but was caught until then.
The on-field umpires straightaway had a chat with the player and took the material from him.
In the post-match presser, Skipper Steven Smith admitted that it was the idea of the players to tamper the ball.
Bancroft was doing the job assigned to him and the skipper took the responsibility.
Though, he also confirmed that he would not step down from the post of captain of Australian cricket team.
While the Test match still on, neither ICC nor Cricket Australia is expected to come out with an official decision on the matter.
It will be only after the match will conclude that the concerning authorities will announce an official decision.
Should Smith be removed from the captaincy, David Warner will lead the team.
In case any other player, including Warner, find himself in the dock, the chances of series being called off will grow.
Meanwhile, Michael Clarke, former Aussie captain, has said that he is ready to lead Australia again if asked to do so.
Like all the former cricketers, he is also surprised to see the turn of events on day three and is set to come out of retirement – if asked.
The day four of the Test match is expected to be a big day with attention mainly on Australian batsmen.
The visitors are due to play another inning in the Test match as well.