The ongoing Test series between Australia and South Africa is arguably one of the most talked about in recent times. Sadly, for all the wrong reasons and non-cricketing issues.
Following the trend from Durban and Port Elizabeth, the third day of Cape Town test will also be scrutinized by the match referees due to a breach of cricketing laws.
This time around, it is Australian opener Cameron Bancroft who is under the radar for ball tampering during the day’s play.
South Africa clearly had their noses ahead of the Test match with a lead of over 200 in the second innings. Australians were running out of ideas to dismiss the Proteas cheaply.
Therefore, Australians resorted to unfair means to get back their edge in the Test match with the help of some reverse swing.
Apparently, Bancroft hid a sandpaper between his middle and index finger to scratch the ball in order to scruff it up.
Bancroft immediately slipped his right hand into his trousers’ pocket to hide it. Unaware of all the cameras around, Barncroft was clearly spotted red-handed during his activities.
After the entire motion of Bancroft was broadcasted, coach Lehmann contacted Peter Handscomb, present in the dugout, via walkie-talkie, and asked him to convey Bancroft that he had been caught by the cameras.
Since being intimated about the incident, Barncroft sneaked in the questionable object inside his underpants. The on-field umpires clearly had a conversation with the Aussie amidst the chaos.
However, the two umpires did not decide to change the ball, which the protocol usually suggests that ball has to be replaced if such instances of ball tampering occur during play.
Pundits such as Graeme Smith and Shane Warne reckoned that Barncroft was told to tamper with the ball, following the seniors in the team, namely Steve Smith and Darren Lehmann.
The official decision on the punishment for Cameron Bancroft will be taken post the days play. But Twitter gave their verdict instantaneously.
Let us look at some of the reactions
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
Mr Bancroft is very good at giving humorous press conferences ….. Tonight’s could be a belter !!!!!! #SAvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2018
Can we talk about this? pic.twitter.com/cmpRrOArgD
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 24, 2018
Enjoy the rest of your holiday in South Africa @cbancroft4 ✌? pic.twitter.com/CTVBxB3ajF
— Simon Harmer (@Simon_Harmer_) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/notdekock/status/977533339136643072
What you got in your pocket @cbancroft4 ? #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/MhfMo4QjPs
— Laurie Reid (@Laurie_Reid1) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/ThatoMamathuba/status/977527994800582656
CHEATING with PIECE of SANDPAPER!!! Cameron Bancroft uses sandpaper kept flat in the palm of his hand to rub the ball.Quietly transfers it back to the pocket.Then when his mates let him know he has been caught,transfers the sandpaper to his Boxers!!!Australians cheating?????
— elviseats (@elviseatspizza1) March 24, 2018
Aussies caught cheating live on TV. The evidence is in Cameron Bancroft’s underpants. Is Nigel Llong prepared to retrieve it?
— Neil Chappell (@neilchappell) March 24, 2018
#SAvAUS Umpires have chatted to Cameron Bancroft about alleged ball tampering – they seemed satisfied with his explanation as play continues. Haven’t shown any replays of the incident since the chat.
— EWN Sport (@EWNsport) March 24, 2018
From the vision just shown, Cameron Bancroft appears guilty of ball tampering. It looks to be a blatant act and also one that team leadership is aware of. It has the potential to be an explosive issue. And rightly so if it is as it appears #RSAvAUS
— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/BadenGillion/status/977530694061776897
More controversy in the South Africa versus Australia Test series. Cameron Bancroft caught out by the TV cameras allegedly using an object to tamper with the ball #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/scW1yuKvnv
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) March 24, 2018
If you're looking for someone to mete out discipline in Cameron Bancroft's direction… #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/V0Sd2i2cp5
— Ed Kemp (@EdKemp_) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jaypey12/status/977539571817758720
https://twitter.com/SAFCBear/status/977537450896707584
Cameron Bancroft caught on camera removing something from his pocket into his pants. The umpires stopped play and asked him to remove the item #SAvAUS #SAvsAUS #Newlands
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) March 24, 2018
Ball tampering is a Level 2 offence. It carries up to 4 demerit points (one match suspension) and up to 100% match fee fine. With that clear footage, will be suprised if Cameron Bancroft is not banned from playing the next Test?#SAvAUS ?#ProteaFIRE ?
— Suleman Modan (@Figjamfan) March 24, 2018
How Australian are you?
Cameron Bancroft : pic.twitter.com/nqBYGzlNXt
— Abhishek ︎ (@ImAbhishek7_) March 24, 2018
Others : I got a couple of tricks in my bag.
Cameron Bancroft : I got all of them in my underwear. #SAvAUS
— Abhishek ︎ (@ImAbhishek7_) March 24, 2018
Absolutely baffled. Cameron Bancroft has blatantly tampered with the ball. @ICC, is this OK because he's Australian?
— Hassen Mayet (@HasMayet10) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/JustKholii_/status/977532515178172416
Strong reaction from @ShaneWarne saying Australia got caught & they need to front with regards to Cameron Bancroft hiding an object (appeared to be sandpaper) in his crotch before umpires could check his pockets … disgraceful behaviour #ProteaFire
— Mark Keohane (@mark_keohane) March 24, 2018
The real secret behind taking wickets and breaking partnership lies inside the underwear : Sir Cameron Bancroft (2018)#SAvAUS
— Abhishek ︎ (@ImAbhishek7_) March 24, 2018
Cameron Bancroft using sand paper to scratch the ball.. or his balls? That's some itchiness!#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/Hh1DKpAYd0
— Atul Pandey (@atulmailing) March 24, 2018
Cameron Bancroft is in a spot of bother. He seemed to have used the 'blade' before sliding it into underpants. However, what he showed to Nigel Llong was the piece of cloth (microfibre) used as a case for the sunglasses. #SAvsAUS
— Tahir Ibn Manzoor (@TahirIbnManzoor) March 24, 2018
Shane Warne with a very valid point. Obviously Cameron Bancroft wouldn't have done this on his own. Someone in the Aussie team would have told him to. And as he says it's a clear case of ball tampering #SAvAUS
— Chirag Gupta (@ChiragG14) March 24, 2018
From Melon Head to Captain Underpants. Cameron Bancroft's nickname is a shape-shifter #SAvAus
— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) March 24, 2018
Cameron Bancroft caught flushing the Yellow Chip during Tea Break !#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/BTfiAdGNYE
— Hariharan Durairaj ??️ (@hariharan_draj) March 24, 2018
#SAvAUS
Did Cameron Bancroft tamper the ball ?Steve Smith : pic.twitter.com/vL8soR9MKH
— Hariharan Durairaj ??️ (@hariharan_draj) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Ahmedmu559/status/977546249061748737
I am intrigued to see how the Cameron Bancroft ball tampering incident will unfold… Caught very red (or yellow) handed… #SandpaperGate
— George (@_GC_1) March 24, 2018
This one innings with Ball tempering is going to make @cbancroft4 more famous than any of his innings with bat till date! ? #SAvAUS #bancroft
— Sanjay Gupta (@sanjay1990gupta) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Surana9Naveen/status/977538201903681536
#CameronBancroft watching the replay footage while having tea. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/YnB7Qieqo6
— Lewis Hatchett (@lewis_hatchett) March 24, 2018
If @KagisoRabada25 can be banned for send offs, then @cbancroft4 has been found guilty of a greater offense. @ICC should take this seriously and not let go of it. And it isn't possible that the skipper @stevesmith49 doesn't know about it. Book him too. @CAComms @OfficialCSA
— Nagarajan (@nagarajan1802) March 24, 2018