Australia opening batsman Cameron Bancroft is likely to face a plethora of questions over an incident captured by TV cameras during the third day of the ongoing third Test against South Africa at Newlands.
Bancroft was questioned by umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth during the 43rd over of South Africa’s second innings after appearing to have an object in his hand while at covers. Bancroft appeared to place a small yellow object in his underpants during umpires’ conferring.
The umpires went across to talk to him, and Bancroft reached into a pocket and showed them what seemed to be a different object – what looked like a soft pouch for sunglasses.
The aftermaths of the incident has already begun with many cricketers, former players and from women’s fraternity, having their say on the micro-blogging site- Twitter.
Here are some of the Twitter reactions:
https://twitter.com/KP24/status/977544631402582017
Can we talk about this? pic.twitter.com/cmpRrOArgD
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 24, 2018
Line in the sand?? Or Sandpaper??? #SAvAUS
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 24, 2018
I need a bit of joinery doing at the house … Are Aussies cheap ??? #SandpaperGate
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2018
So the Australians are going to get done for ball tampering, and the South Africans are in trouble for aggressive on and off field behaviour.
This series may be cricket's version of face off.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) March 24, 2018
After the Bancroft incident, will umpires ask a player to strip on the field to ascertain whether the ball has been tampered with? (No double entendre intended, promise)
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 24, 2018
He definitely can add chafe to his list of stresses tonight https://t.co/t9QBtnWV8H
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) March 24, 2018
Very disappointed with the pictures I saw on our coverage here in Cape Town. If proven the alleged ball tampering is what we all think it is – then I hope Steve Smith (Captain) & Darren Lehmann (Coach) do the press conference to clean this mess up !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 24, 2018
Oh no ! Bancroft. Very embarrassing. From the looks of it, this is not on. Haven't seen a series marred by controversies like this one in a long long time. The Cricket has been great, but this .. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/2uNhxtBXTv
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 24, 2018
Questions on the field for Australia's cricketers. Questions off the field for Australia's management. Their image is taking a beating here
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 24, 2018
Absolutely love cricket and love watching mens cricket, but after all that has been said and happened during this Test series – I am not a fan… this DOES NOT happen in Women’s Cricket 🏏 https://t.co/pWPoCciEAz
— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/danevn81/status/977546914534215680
This is what you call disgraceful @darren_lehmann #SAvAUS https://t.co/bWQs0Czigl
— Lizelle Lee (@zella15j) March 24, 2018
Im Extremely tired but I just can’t sleep now after watching that footage 🤦🏻♂️😞🤐😷 #AUSvsSA
— Fawad Ahmed (@bachaji23) March 24, 2018
The most sensible thing the Aussies have done, is give the object to @cbancroft4 . It's just saves an awkward conversation that the selectors have managed to avoid. Very clever. 👍🏻
— Chris Hughes (@chrishughes_22) March 24, 2018
Just don’t get caught. Every team does it. Just be better at it!
And, at least use a skin coloured object/implement. Or have it match the colour of strapping tape. Then you can have it anywhere.
— Iain O'Brien (@iainobrien) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/Les_Ndlovu/status/977531570205708288
Bancroft scratching balls on the field sis man #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/cryLtochfx
— Shaded Black (@dumiez77) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/mthi4life/status/977530258961428480
Oh dear, oh dear #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/vVFtvNVVGd
— Jamie BristowDiamond (@JBristowDiamond) March 24, 2018