The third Test in South Africa was plunged into controversy last night when Australian Cameron Bancroft was caught in what appeared to be a case of ball tampering.
As Australia tried to bowl themselves back into the match, with the Proteas well in control, footage emerged of Bancroft producing from his pants a small yellow object which he then seemed to rub on the ball.
The obvious implication of Bancroft’s actions was that he was trying to rough up one side of the ball to aid the Australian quicks in gaining reverse swing.
Bancroft was spoken to by the umpires after this incident in the final session yesterday and did not produce the yellow object, instead showing them a black cloth sunglasses bag.
His actions were questioned by several TV commentators, with former Australian captain Allan Border describing it as “very suspicious” and former SA skipper Graeme Smith saying he believed Bancroft had “tampered with the ball”.
Bancroft could be suspended from the fourth Test in Johannesburg if he is found guilty of ball tampering, which looks very possible based on the footage.
(AP Photo/Halden Krog)
A media firestorm will rage around this incident for days to come and it could greatly tarnish the reputation of not just Bancroft but of the Australian team. It also has the potential to derail his young career.
Bancroft surely must be suspended if found guilty of a blatant breach of the ICC code of conduct. If he is the suspended there would be no guarantee he would come straight back into the Australian XI once that suspension was served.
Yet Bancroft would be a scapegoat if all this came to pass. Undoubtedly he is responsible for his own actions, but it seems unlikely an international player would tamper with the ball without the consent of their captain and coach.
If Bancroft was indeed ball tampering in such a premeditated fashion it would seem probable the entire Australian team and coaching staff would be aware of the tactic.
Australian captain Steve Smith and coach Darren Lehmann could have a lot of explaining to do. One can only hope they will not hang Bancroft out to dry if he is found guilty.
The 25-year-old is going to carry a huge burden over this incident, particularly if he’s banned. Ball tampering is an inexcusable action and one which brings the game of cricket into disrepute.
It is gobsmacking that a team would even consider taking such a huge risk given the enormous media scrutiny on this Test series, which has already been marred by a series of controversies.
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The Australians are familiar with the maelstrom that accompanies ball tampering episodes having watched as their media went after Proteas captain Faf du Plessis when he was found guilty of this offence during the last series between the teams in 2016.
Du Plessis was caught on camera very obviously rubbing his finger on to a mint in his mouth and then wiping that same finger on the ball. That was the second time the South African was punished by the ICC for such behaviour, having been fined in 2013 for rubbing a ball on his pant zipper during a Test against Pakistan.
Proteas seamer Vernon Philander was also found guilty of ball tampering the following year after he was caught scratching a ball during a match in Sri Lanka.
This looks set to be the first time that a member of the current Australian team will be charged with ball tampering. That would be an unsightly stain on what has been a high quality and very engaging series between two fierce foes.
Don Freo
Guest
I'll bet Kohli never said that. Do you have a link? You're getting a bit excitable Ajay. Almost every Aussie on The Roar is condemning it. In other words, Aussies hate cheating. These boys were wrong and should be sanctioned. Don't get all rac1st about it.
Ajay
Guest
Kohli was bang on when he said- Australians are systematic cheaters!
rock
Guest
Exactly, it ain't right but at least they actually come clean. They could have easily taken a page from Faf's book even after being caught red handed, but they didn't.
northerner
Guest
I'm actually more interested in how Cricket Australia responds than in what the ICC does. The ICC manages the rules of the game but Cricket Australia is supposed to be managing the Australian team, and that includes managing their on-field behaviour.
northerner
Guest
South African cricket authorities can set whatever standards they choose for their team, and impose whatever in house punishments they choose beyond what the ICC demands for they myriad transgressions of their players. But personally, I want Cricket Australia to set higher standards for our test teams. Higher than the standards the South Africans set, and frankly, higher than the standards of behaviour shown by our teams over the last few years. Time for a complete reset on what is and is not acceptable behaviour on the field.
Jameswm
Guest
Agreed. But CA needs to take this more seriously than other things.
Jameswm
Guest
No idea
Jameswm
Guest
Nah Paine and Mitch Marsh ahead of Cummins.
Jameswm
Guest
Who knows?
Jameswm
Guest
Faf denied it despite being caught red handed. Doesn’t make this right of course.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Gee they just thought of it at lunch time ; a least we know why Bancroft is picked .
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Agree but I think he will hold out for this series. Once the test series, Smith is out as captain and Lehmann gone as coach.
Dan in Devon
Guest
No. Australian cricket captains have a history of being very hard, uncompromising men.
Fox
Roar Guru
Smith should be stood down as captain - period
Out plum
Guest
This is shameful, I am certainly ashamed of them. First we have the feral attack dog Warner and now this. Lehman should be sacked. Each of Bancroft, Smith, Warner, Starc and Hazelwood (leadership team) suspended from representing Australia until after the next World Cup. What other players/teams have done is totally irrelevant. What does AUSTRALIA want to stand for, be known for? We already have a poor reputation, in terms of behaviour/sportsmanship, around the rest of the world. This was a planned cheat when the chips are down and we are getting soundly outplayed. Disgraceful.
BurgyGreen
Guest
I'd be picking Burns
Phantom
Roar Rookie
To be honest if the bowler is suspended the captain should be suspended as well. Smith is fully entwined in what happened.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
This is about Australia not India Vikram!
13th Man
Guest
It wasn't just Bancroft, sadly as the junior member of the side he was the one who actually did it however i truly believe and Smith pretty much admitted it, that Bancroft was told to do it by the leadership group. Meaning that Smith and probably Warner as well had something to do with it. I actually kind of feel sorry for Bancroft, although agree he must be suspended. If this is indeed the case, Smith simply can't be captain, he just has to step down. I'd imagine he should also be suspended along with Bancroft. The other thing is Warner can't replace him considering he too was probably involved. They have denied any involvment from Lehmann but i dont believe that. Dare i say it, Tim Paine to be the new captain, Mitch Marsh his deputy and Ricky Ponting or Justin Langer to replace Lehmann. CA has to act tough here, a soft stance will not be enough. That was blatant cheating.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Don't forget Philander - also guilty of ball tampering and only fined!