Australian cricket team had decided to cancel their practice session that was scheduled to be held today (March 28).
Questions regarding the ‘Sandpaper Gate’ were inevitable and the team decided not to answer the questions, hence, cancelling the session.
The members of the side reach Johannesburg yesterday (March 27). They were surrounded by media people at the airport. However, no player uttered a word.
Later in the evening, James Sutherland, the CEO of Cricket Australia, addressed a press conference to make the details public regarding the matter.
He revealed captain Steven Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were the only three players involved in this ‘Sandpaper Gate’. Neither any other player nor coach was involved in it.
All the three players involved got suspended by Cricket Australia and will fly back home today.
They have been replaced by Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns, who will join the squad today (March 28).
These three players are expected to straightaway walk in the playing XI, considering Peter Handscomb might no get a chance in the final Test also. Cricket Australia also announced a new captain in the form of Tim Paine, who will succeed Steven Smith. This makes Tim Paine, Australia’s 46th Test captain.
Though, it is not clear whether he has been handed the reins for just one game or future tours as well.
The fourth and the final Test match between Australia and South Africa kicks off on March 30 in Johannesburg.
The visitors are trailing in the series by 2-1, and only a win can see them levelling the series. The chances of a bolstered South Africa winning the fourth game are highly likely, but Australia’s chances in this game can’t be ruled out.