CAPE TOWN (Agencies): Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft is facing allegations of ball tampering on Saturday(March 24) after damning footage emerged during South Africa’s second innings on the third day of the third Test at Newlands.
The first clip in a series that was aired by the official broadcaster appeared to show Bancroft rubbing the ball on the inside of his right palm, before transferring something from that palm into his right pocket. The footage was brought to the attention of the two on-field umpires, who halted play and conferred in the middle of the pitch.
A second clip showed Bancroft adjusting his pants as the umpires met. A third clip of the same moment, which gave a frontal view, showed Bancroft transferring a small, square yellow object from his right pocket into his trousers.
After conferring, the umpires called Australia captain Steve Smith as well as Bancroft for a discussion. They appeared to ask Bancroft what was in his pocket, and he produced a soft black sunglasses case. The umpires appeared to be satisfied with the explanation, and play resumed without the ball being changed or a five-run penalty being applied.
However, television commentators who watched the full sequence of footage were convinced about what had transpired. “In my opinion I think he’s tampered with the ball and used an object to do that,” said former South Africa captain Graeme Smith. “It does look like it’s a bit of sandpaper. The footage doesn’t look good. I’m quite amazed the umpires haven’t done anything with the ball. The footage is quite damning.
“If it is proved that what has gone on in the footage is correct then some tough questions have to be asked of Steve Smith and Darren Lehmann. I think there is a lot of questions that need to be answered, and Australia need to answer them. For me it’s quite obvious that he’s doing something with the ball and the umpires need to do something about it.”
Former Australia captain Allan Border was equally dubious as he and Smith gave their opinions on host broadcaster SuperSport during the tea interval. “It is very suspicious. There is no doubt about that,” he said. “If you’re caught doing the wrong thing, you’ve got to pay the penalty.”
Reverse swing has been a key feature of the series, and Australia’s seamers enjoyed plenty of it on the third afternoon under gloomy skies. However they were unable to prevent South Africa from building a formidable lead, which gave the hosts a strong upper hand in both the match and series, which is currently locked at 1-1.
While the dry surfaces in both Durban and Port Elizabeth were presumed to be the main cause for reverse swing overshadowing traditional, new-ball swing, the Bancroft footage will bring that assumption into question. Speaking after the first Test in Durban, Australia coach Darren Lehmann said: “Obviously there are techniques used by both sides to get the ball reverse and that’s just the way the game goes.
I have no problems with it, simple. You’d have to ask the umpires and ICC about (whether it is legal). I don’t mind the ball moving, I have no problems with it at all.”
Bancroft’s actions are almost certain to be questioned by match referee Andy Pycroft after the third day’s play. Changing the condition of the ball illegally equates to a level two offence in the ICC’s code of conduct, and carries a fine of between 50 and 100% of the player’s match fee, and a sanction of either three or four demerit points.
