Kevin Pietersen, the former England cricketer, has alleged the role of Australia’s coaches in the Sandpaper Gate saga.
Pietersen, on the same day when the controversy came up, tweeted regarding the role of coaches.
The very next day, he continued to question the team management and blamed the coaches for this –
My 2cents worth – This will be Darren Lehmann’s greatest test as a coach, cos I will struggle to believe that this was all Bancroft’s idea. #SandpaperGate.
— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) March 24, 2018
Slept on it…Lehmann, Saker & the leaderships groups jobs are untenable!
They’ve disgraced a great cricketing nation & Test cricket!
— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) March 25, 2018
Anyone heard from Lehmann? Saker?
That’s Head Coach & Bowling Coach. Pretty instrumental in all of this…
— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) March 25, 2018
Steven Smith, who led Australia on first three days of the Test match, denied the role of coaches in the Sandpaper Gate after the end of the third day.
However, looking at the video replays, Darren Lehmann’s role can’t be ruled out.
As per the visuals on television, it was Lehmann who noted Cameron Bancroft was caught while rubbing sandpaper on the ball. He straightaway delivered the message to Peter Handscomb – substitute fielder sitting in the dugout – through a walkie-talkie. He (Handscomb) ran towards Bancroft to give the word to him.
Bancroft then tried to hide the sandpaper in his pant but was caught until then. The match officials inquired about the object to the fielder and took it away.
It was after the end of the day’s when the matter became crystal clear after Smith accepted it was the idea of the team to tamper the ball. However, he also cleared that coaches had no role to play in it. Visuals on television though give other signs.
Cricket Australia has launched an inquiry into the matter, and the board will understand the role of players and coaches during the process.
A detailed investigation is likely to be conducted before any action will be taken against the parties involved. Steven Smith has already been banned by ICC for the next Test match. He stepped down from the post of captain during the third Test.
David Warner, his deputy, also stepped down from his post. Tim Paine will lead the team going into the fourth Test.
One can expect a stern action against the players involved in the idea to tamper the ball. The series will continue to be played, and the fourth Test match starts on March 30 in Johannesburg. South Africa are leading the series 2-1.