South Africa opened up a potentially match-winning lead on day three of the third test on Saturday as Australia captain Steve Smith admitted his side tampered with the ball in a confession that sent shockwaves through the sport.
In an extraordinary news conference after the day's play, Smith and Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft confessed to a plan to use sand stuck to tape to alter the condition of the ball in an effort to produce more swing.
Bancroft has been charged with a Level Two offence by the International Cricket Council, but whether Smith will face any sanction after admitting to hatching the plot along with the team’s "leadership group" remains to be seen.
I just had discussions with the match officials and I’m being charged with tending to change the condition of the ball. We had a discussion during the break and on my self I saw a opportunity to potentially use some tape and get some granules from the rough patches on the wicket and try to change the ball condition. It didn’t work. The umpires obviously didn’t change the ball. But, I guess once I was sided on the screens and having done that, I panicked quite a lot and that obviously resulted in me shoving it down my trousers.Cameron Bancroft
Already in the series, five players have been sanctioned and Australia complained of "disgraceful" South African supporters verbally abusing their players. However, it will now be overshadowed by a controversy that threatens careers in the visiting dressing room.
The ball tampering came to light after Bancroft, the most junior member of the side and the player tasked with carrying out the plan, was caught on camera rubbing a yellow object against the ball.
He was then shown hastily putting the object down the front of his trousers before speaking to on-field umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth, who had been alerted to the suspicious behaviour.
Bancroft turned out his pockets and showed the umpires a black piece of cloth before play continued and the hosts tightened their hold on the match.
Australian skipper Steve Smith however admitted it wasn't Bancroft’s idea and the ‘leadership’ in the team had come up with the plan.
The leadership knew about it. We spoke about it at lunch and I’m not proud of what’s happened. It’s not within the spirit of the game, my integrity, the team’s integrity. The leadership’s group integrity has come into question and rightfully so. It’s not on, it’s certainly not on and it ,won’t happen again, I can promise you that under my leadership.Steve Smith
The skipper however would not reveal who came up with the idea to tamper the ball.
It was the leadership group. I’m not naming names. The leadership group talked about it and ‘Bangers’ (means Bancroft) was around at the time and we spoke about it and thought it was a possible way to get an advantage. Obviously it didn’t work. The umpires didn’t see it change the way the ball was behaving or how it looked. Poor choice and we’re deeply regrettable (for) our actions.Steve Smith
Asked if he would consider stepping down, Smith however said he was keen to continue in his role as the captain of the Australian Cricket Team.
No, I won’t consider stepping down. I still think I’m the right person for the job. Obviously, today was a big mistake on my behalf and on behalf of the leadership group as well. But, I take responsibility as the captain and I need to take control of the ship. This is certainly something I am not proud of and something I hope I can learn from and come back strong from. I am embarrassed to be sitting here and talking about this. We are in the middle of such a great series and for something like this to overshadow the great cricket that’s been played and not have a single cricket question in here, that’s not what I’m about, not what the team’s about. We will move past this. It’s a big error in judgement but we’ll learn from it and move past it.Steve Smith
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)