The Sandpapergate scandal was voted the third-biggest incident in the history of Test cricket matches. The cheating incident involved the use of sandpaper during a Test match in Cape Town in March 2018.
Steve Smith and his teammates were exposed during the initial Test series held in South Africa. The Australian leadership group formulated their plan during a lunch break on a Saturday afternoon in March 2018.
Bancroft was observed shining the ball during the 43rd over of the South Africa second innings. The big screen controller displayed footage showing the cheating replay.
Captain Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and opener Bancroft admitted to devising the ball-tampering plot during lunch on the third day of the third Test. Warner previously clashed with Quinton de Kock during the first Test in Durban.
Smith was also involved in an altercation with Kagiso Rabada during the second Test. On-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Nigel Llong challenged Bancroft.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann communicated with 12th man Peter Handscomb using a walkie-talkie. SuperSport captured footage of Bancroft concealing the sandpaper.
Bancroft was seen hiding sandpaper inside his trousers. Bancroft and Smith subsequently returned home from the tour and received lengthy bans.
Steve Smith cried during a tearful address to the press in Sydney upon his return to Australia. Alvin Naicker stated that the team of cameramen told a story that he put together.
Naicker explained that TV coverage coordination involves close-up shots when the ball is dead. Naicker stated that the most difficult thing was seeing Steve Smith shedding tears.
Stuart Broad stated that the footage looked worse in ultra-motion than it was.
