In what can only be called an explosive ball-tampering row in the history of cricket, Australian captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner have both stepped down from their respective roles after admitting to hatching a plan to tamper the ball on the third day of their test match against South Africa.
Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft along with a few senior players have admitted to cheating and plotting to tamper with the ball. The news of the #SandpaperGate has clearly shocked everyone, from the cricketing fraternity to fans of the game worldwide.
In case you missed it, this #SandpaperGate #BallTampering is utterly outrageous. It’s just not cricket. #BanBancroft #BanStevesmith #CricketAustralia#AUSvsSA #SteveSmithpic.twitter.com/4ihM9wijNP
— 🐯தமிழிந்தியன்🇮🇳 (@nareshtkumar10) March 25, 2018
Fantastic camera work. He did not just catch Bancroft cheating, he caught the Aussie dressing room sending a message to say hide the sandpaper.They are all in on it…What a brilliant team work😂😂😂#balltampering #Bancroft #SteveSmith #SAvsAUS #SandpaperGate pic.twitter.com/6iJN8PUwfg
— சினிமாபுரம் (@cinemapuram) March 24, 2018
Many took to Twitter to express their outrage.
WHAT THE …….. HAVE I JUST WOKEN UP TO. Please tell me this is a bad dream.
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 24, 2018
That #SteveSmith along with other senior players planned Ball Tampering is disappointing, but he involved young Cameron Bancroft in the plan is disgraceful. I believe he should take responsibility & step down from captaincy immediately to set a better example instead. #AusVsSa
— R P Singh (@rpsingh) March 25, 2018
Can we talk about this? pic.twitter.com/cmpRrOArgD
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 24, 2018
Steve Smith,his Team & ALL the management will have to accept that whatever happens in their careers they will all be known for trying to CHEAT the game … #SAvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2018
What I find appalling in all this is the Youngster got given the Job .. Was it because someone in the team had been accused of using Hand tape for a similar affect !!!!!!! So they wanted someone else to take the mantle …. Disgraceful behaviour by senior pros … #SAvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2018
Bancroft was caught in a video, hiding a yellow-coloured object, which he later admitted to being a “yellow tape” which is a part of their kit.
As an incorrigible cricket romantic, the Australian cricket team was my first crush in the sport; last night, they broke my heart, perhaps forever. #Sandpapergate
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 25, 2018
If Cricket #Australia does not sack #SteveSmith & his ‘Leadership Group’ immediately they will do a great disservice to both the sport & their nation. I think a 2 yr ban on the captain is the best way to send a message that this is absolutely unacceptable. #SAvAUS #Sandpapergate pic.twitter.com/Qw0S2LAwgM
— Papa CJ (@PapaCJ) March 25, 2018
They hide their yellow tape there while bowling.
Oh! That’s why Australia is referred to as Down Under! Now got it!#SteveSmith #Bancroft— Atul Khatri (@one_by_two) March 25, 2018
Most iconic villains I have seen #SandpaperGate pic.twitter.com/uo3q1HoVT5
— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) March 24, 2018
Clearly, lovers of the game are gutted. Cricket, no longer a gentleman’s game?
