“It’s pretty self-explanatory” – Cameron Bancroft hints Aussie bowlers were aware of ball tampering

“It’s pretty self-explanatory” – Cameron Bancroft hints Aussie bowlers were aware of ball tampering

Cameron Bancroft

The ‘Sanpapergate’ scandal is one of the most controversial ones in the history of Australian cricket. It occurred in the year 2018 during a Test match between the Aussies and South Africa where television cameras spotted opener Cameron Bancroft roughening up the ball using sandpaper that he had in his pocket. This was done in order to generate swing and movement in the flight of the ball.

Australia’s captain back then Steve Smith as well as vice-captain David Warner were also found to be involved in the plot upon investigation and all three received harsh sanctions including bans from Cricket Australia. The scandal also led to head coach Darren Lehmann stepping down from his position. Smith was also removed from captaincy and replaced by Tim Paine for the Tests and Aaron Finch for limited overs matches – an arrangement that exists till today despite Smith’s ban having come to an end.

Cameron Bancroft speaks on the infamous scandal

Cameron Bancroft
Cameron Bancroft

Cameron Bancroft sat down for an interview recently with journalist Donald McRae and according to McRae himself, the opening batsman gave a ‘long pause’ on being asked if the rest of the Australian players and especially the bowlers knew about the ball tampering.

“Yeah, look, all I wanted to do was to be responsible and accountable for my own actions and part. Yeah, obviously what I did benefits bowlers and the awareness around that, probably, is self-explanatory. I guess one thing I learnt through the journey and being responsible is that’s where the buck stops [with Bancroft himself]. Had I had better awareness I would have made a much better decision,” Bancroft then said.

On being pressed once more by the interviewer as to whether the bowlers had knowledge of his actions, he said, “Uh … yeah, look, I think, yeah, I think it’s pretty probably self-explanatory.”

This revelation isn’t a big shock as such due to the fact that many including Andrew Flintoff predicted that the bowlers would definitely have had knowledge of the act.

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