In a startling post-day press conference, Australia captain Steve Smith and opener Cameron Bancroft admitted that they deliberately attempted to change the condition of the ball during the ongoing third Test in Newlands, Cape Town.
Damning video footage had emerged which showed Bancroft appearing to using an external object while trying to shine the ball. Bancroft went on to confirm the doubts that those videos raised as he admitted that he had used a yellow sticky tape to collect soil granules and rub it against the surface of the ball to alter its condition.
“The leadership group knew about it. I am not proud of what’s happened. it’s not within the spirit of the game. Leadership group in question, and rightly so,” Bancroft admitted.
Smith went on to say: “We spoke about it and thought it was a possible way of getting an advantage. [It is a] deeply regrettable action.”
