Australia’s frontline Test bowlers have asked for an end to “rumour-mongering and innuendo” about their alleged knowledge of the ball-tampering scandal after Cameron Bancroft made it clear he has no new information.
Cricket Australia (CA) will not reopen investigations into the 2018 Cape Town cheating saga, which became a topic of hot debate after Bancroft’s comments in an interview with the Guardian.
Bancroft replied it was “self-explanatory”, when asked twice if Australia’s bowlers knew about the ploy to use sandpaper on the ball.
The former Test opener has since told CA’s integrity unit he does not have any new information beyond what he told investigators at the time in South Africa.
CA’s formal probe of the incident cleared everybody in the touring party – outside of Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner – of any wrongdoing or knowledge of the illegal plot.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, having all played in that infamous match, released a statement “to the Australian public” late on Tuesday via Starc’s website.
“We pride ourselves on our honesty. So it’s been disappointing to see that our integrity has been questioned by some journalists and past players in recent days,” they wrote.
“We have already answered questions many times on this issue, but we feel compelled to put the key facts on the record again.
“We did not know a foreign substance was taken onto the field to alter the condition of the ball until we saw the images on the big screen.
“We respectfully request an end to the rumour-mongering and innuendo. It has gone on too long and it is time to move on.”
The letter also rejected the argument, made by former Australia captain Michael Clarke and other pundits, that as bowlers they must have known because of the ball.
“Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth, both very respected and experienced umpires, inspected the ball after the images surfaced on the TV coverage and did not change it because there was no sign of damage,” the four bowlers wrote.
“None of this excuses what happened on the field that day at Newlands. It was wrong and it should never have happened.”
It’s understood Bancroft has contacted some teammates, knowing his words have gone down poorly.
Bancroft served a nine-month ban for wielding the weapon that plunged Australian cricket into crisis, while Smith and Warner were stripped of their leadership roles and given year-long suspensions by CA.
“We can only deal with the facts that we have and there’s nothing further that has been raised,” CA’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley told AAP.
“There was a thorough investigation.
“So as far as we’re concerned, that investigation was closed and the sanctions were served.”
Bancroft, who is playing county cricket with Durham, is yet to publicly clarify what he meant.
Meanwhile, it shapes a potentially spicy summer given England veteran Stuart Broad has joined Clarke and Adam Gilchrist in expressing fresh cynicism about CA’s findings.
English fans delivered near-constant reminders of Australia’s shameful chapter throughout the 2019 Ashes.
Broad, who is on track to compete in his eighth Ashes series later this year, echoed Clarke in arguing that bowlers have a forensic approach to ball management.
“There’s no doubt the Aussies would have been hoping this episode was signed, sealed and delivered,” Broad said.
Jak
Guest
Theoretically, it is possible the bowlers didn't know. The umpires didn't find anything wrong with the ball when they inspected it, and if Bancroft was caught the first time he attempted to manipulate the ball, then its plausible they didn't know. Highly doubtful but plausible. The ball tampering effort by the Australians was amateurish at best. Grade players do a more sophisticated job, and it was certainly not a patch on the boss level ball tamperers from SA, Eng, Pak and NZ.
Paul
Roar Guru
Morning Ricardo, Just because Bancroft said it was so, doesn't make it so. For example, Warner could have gone up to him and said, "Look mate, I've had a chat to Paddy, Gary and the other bowlers and we agree you're the best bloke to look after the ball for us". He then hands him Bancroft a piece of sandpaper and tells him what to do. If my example is close to the truth, Bancroft could genuinely believe the bowlers not only knew about it, but wanted it done, while the bowlers could correctly deny any knowledge. As you say, it's a minor issue. I'm far more interested in seeing how your Black Caps are getting ready to beat the Poms. Really looking forward that series.
Paul
Roar Guru
For sure, but they are the governing body and there's no other reasonable alternative that I can see. In reality, this is a minor issue that affects Australian cricket only. Certain bobbleheads have decided to weigh in on it, but the ICC has already handed down it's penalties for the actual ball tampering, so all that remains is the credibility of the Aussie players. I doubt this is worth spending too much time or money on investigating further, given there's no new evidence and I reckon CA would agree.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Apart from the ICC being the lackey of India, England and Australia.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Morning Paul. No evidence really other then the postulations of one of the culprits. By inference then, wouldn't that also suggest that the matter has been swept under the carpet? Gilchrist and Clarke, amongst others, appear to support that position. And... don't you think it may be that these guys should probably say nothing? Anyhoo...back to the cricket...
Paul
Roar Guru
"The former Test opener has since told CA’s integrity unit he does not have any new information beyond what he told investigators at the time in South Africa." CA will need to decide whether the court of public opinion needs to know exactly what Bancroft at the time in South Africa. At the least, it would be useful for the ICC to have a look a the 2018 evidence and if they think there's nothing to it, issue a statement saying that.
Paul
Roar Guru
Well, this person with a brain doesn't think they knew. You seem very good at making accusations with zero evidence to support the claims. You've also decided the CA investigation was "shambolic". Please tell us all exactly what aspects of this fits your description. And while you're at it, please tell us what basis you have for deciding the 4 Australian bowlers lied in 2018 and are continuing to lie now.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
This statement adds weight to the 3 prior events that led to Warner exacting revenge. I reckon the bowlers should be taken at their word. I don't believe, for one minute, that all the team & coaching were in on this. That is a bridge too far. Ask yourself this: Why is Cummins touted as a future captain? Because he's a bl○●dy good bloke. --------- I know this is wrong but it all could've been avoided by Warner having his way by applying some remedial work to de Kock's face. He wouldn't dragged two other team mates directly, Smith by his diffidence, Bancroft by his naivete, into his vindictive maelstrom. He has also dragged the rest of the team down by innuendo. -------- It would've only been on Warner and it would've been a well-deserved 2 year ban. I say this by the way of Warner if he was going to exact his revenge he should've only included himself. -------- I don't advocate violence normarily.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Oh man. This is a good time to stay schtum fellas. Most of us with a brain know you knew. The only good here, I guess would be the refusal of CA to re-open their shambolic investigation. The whole cricketing fraternity is on notice s let's just get back to the cricket...