Fanie de Villiers, the commentator during the 2018 Cape Town Test,  has alleged that it was ‘impossible�?for the Australian attack to not know what was being done with the ball.

Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon had issued a statement on Tuesday saying that they were unaware that sandpaper was brought onto the field to change the state of the ball until it was shown on the big screen at Newlands.

“It’s absolutely impossible for bowlers not to know what’s going on the ball, because you are the person that scrutinises it, you are the person that’s looking at it, you are the person that’s cleaning it, you are the person that knows exactly that one side looks this way because of looking after and the other side doesn’t look a specific way because of the grass on the wicket. So it’s absolutely nonsense,�?de Villiers, who is also a former Proteas quick, told The Indian Express.

De Villiers has claimed earlier that it was he who alerted the broadcast crew that Cameron Bancroft was rubbing the ball with a piece of yellow tape. He was of the opinion that it wasn’t only Bancroft, David Warner and Steve Smith (the three banned players) who were in the know about what was going on.

“I think from the start it was obvious that they knew, and from the start, the Australian system didn’t handle it properly. They should have handled it differently, and they tried to cover everything by just making two [actually, three] people the culprits. It was a combined effort�?The coach knew; everybody knows in a system, because you don’t hide these things in the team firstly, and secondly, it’s impossible for a bowler not to know because he can see the difference.�?/span>

Cricket Australia has maintained that anyone with additional information about the incident should get in touch with the board. However, de Villiers felt that the matter should not be reopened. 

“I think they (the Australia bowlers) have been advised to say what they said, just to take as much of the pressure away from the situation. I don’t think it should be dragged open. I think people did get a warning, everybody around the world got a proper warning through this, and it’s done and dusted. I don’t think it should be opened up again. I don’t think it’s fair on the players.�?/span>

Featured image : AFP / Patrick Hamilton

Cameron Bancroft recently reopened the 2018 ‘Sandpapergate�?ball-tampering controversy by suggesting that the Australian bowlers were aware that sandpaper was to be used on the ball during the Cape Town Test. 

Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for varying periods for their role in the incident, while coach Darren Lehmann resigned soon after. We take a look at the latest round of the controversy that shook Australian cricket.

Bancroft’s comment:

"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," Bancroft told The Guardian.

Support from Australian greats:

Former captain Michael Clarke has backed Bancroft’s view, saying that it was ‘impossible�?that only Bancroft, Warner and Smith knew about the plans to use sandpaper on the ball.

“If you know anything about the game of cricket, you know on that day, on that field, what went down, more than three people had to know about it. Impossible not to... that's why there's going to be finger-pointing until, I think until someone writes their book and tells the complete, honest truth,�?Clarke told Sky Sports Radio. “I don't think Cameron Bancroft should be smashed for what he's come out and said, he's tried to say nothing but he's doing an interview."

Adam Gilchrist, the former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman, said that Cricket Australia (CA) should have done a better investigation. "Anyone would be naïve to think people were not aware with what was going on about ball maintenance. I don't think Cricket Australia wanted to go there,�?Gilchrist told SEN Radio. “They did not want to go any deeper than that superficial example of ball-tampering. They did not investigate to see whether it was systemic, had it been going on and on and on.�?/span>

The bowlers�?response:

After Bancroft’s comments, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon �?the Australia attack in the Newlands Test �?have reiterated that they had no prior knowledge that sandpaper was going to be used on the ball.

"We did not know a foreign substance was taken onto the field to alter the condition of the ball until we saw the images on the big screen at Newlands,�?the bowlers stated.

"And to those who, despite the absence of evidence, insist that 'we must have known' about the use of a foreign substance simply because we are bowlers, we say this: The umpires during that Test match, Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth, both very respected and experienced umpires, inspected the ball after the images surfaced on the TV coverage and did not change it because there was no sign of damage...

“We respectfully request an end to the rumour-mongering and innuendo. It has gone on too long and it is time to move on."

The board’s response:

Cricket Australia’s integrity unit has now reached out to Bancroft to see if he is willing to provide any additional information about the incident.

“We've maintained all the way through that if anyone had any new information relating to that incident that we've encouraged people to come forward and discuss that with our integrity unit,�?said Ben Oliver, Cricket Australia's head of national teams.

“In this particular case, our integrity team have reached out to Cam (Bancroft) again extending that invitation to him if he does have any new information. We'll wait to see his response on that.�?/span>

Featured photo: Twitter/cricket.com.au

Former Australia bowling coach David Saker who was in-charge of the role during the infamous Sandpaper Gate has said that the finger-pointing is bound to continue irrespective of whether the investigation into the scandal is reopened or not.

The former Victorian and Tasmanian pacer further stated that the footprints of this debacle would haunt the country for decades, just like it did with Trevor Chappell’s underarm ball versus New Zealand 40 years ago.

The toned-down incident found life once again after Cameron Bancroft, the man who actually carried sandpaper in the 2018 Newlands Test against South Africa, hinted in a press conference on his return to English country Durham, that the Australian bowlers may have been aware of the larger plot. The talks started gaining momentum after Bancroft on being asked whether the bowlers were aware of the ball-tampering in advance, in an interview with The Guardian, said, “Uh �?yeah, look, I think, yeah, I think it’s pretty probably self-explanatory.�?/span>

The bowling attack then consisted of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon. 

Saker left his post in 2019 and has been on an assignment with Sri Lanka’s national team since then.

In response to The Age and Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday, Saker said, “Obviously a lot of things went wrong at that time. The finger-pointing is going to go on and on and on.�?He added, “Cameron’s a very nice guy. He’s just doing it to get something off his chest ... He’s not going to be the last. You could point your finger at me, you could point your finger at Boof [then coach Darren Lehmann], could you point it at other people, of course you could.�?/span>

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia (CA) following Bancroft’s remarks issued a statement expressing the willingness to open a fresh investigation into the incident that rocked Australian cricket and drew inexpressible ire from the fans. 

“CA has maintained all along that if anyone is in possession of new information in regards to the Cape Town Test of 2018 they should come forward and present it,�?CA said.

Saker has encouraged the idea of CA reopening the investigation but was not sure if it would serve the purpose.

He said, “I don’t think it’d be unfair. I just don’t know what they’re going to find out.�?/span>

Cameron Bancroft’s statement might also affect Steve Smith’s chances of becoming Australia cricket team captain again. While Steve Smith has made a successful return in all the formats post his ban and has also declared his keenness for a possible captaincy stint, the timing of Bancroft’s comments is precarious. The sentiment around Smith regaining captaincy grew a bit after current Test captain Tim Paine endorsed him as his successor last week.

Featured photo : AFP / Punit Paranjpe

Cameron Bancroft and Joe Burns got the nod Thursday for Australia's Test squad to face Pakistan, with Usman Khawaja and Marcus Harris axed after flopping during the Ashes series against England. 

Bowling allrounder Michael Neser was also included as a back-up to the formidable pace attack of Josh Hazelwood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson.

Bancroft was only rushed into the Australia A team at the last minute this week when Nic Maddinson pulled out to deal with mental health issues.

But he made the most of his opportunity, top-scoring with 49 in their first innings total of 122 all out to put himself in the reckoning after failing to make an impact in the Ashes on his return to Test cricket after a ball-tampering ban.

He is one of three specialist openers, along with Burns and Warner, but is more likely to play down the order if selected for the two Tests starting in Brisbane next week, followed by a day-night clash in Adelaide.

Burns was unlucky to be overlooked for the Ashes having scored a century in the last Test he played against Sri Lanka in February.

National selector Trevor Hohns suggested he would open with Warner, pointing out that "he has Test hundreds on the board and has combined very well with David in the past".

Unlucky players

Harris and Khawaja miss out after failing to impress in England or in the Australia A match, which was seen as a "bat-off" for the Test slots up for grabs.

"As always there were players who were unlucky to miss the squad. Those players remain firmly in the national selection frame and will continue to be monitored closely," added Hohns.

Middle-order batsman Travis Head, who was dropped for the last Ashes Test, was given another chance after young prodigy Will Pucovski, widely tipped to be included, pulled out of contention earlier Thursday citing his "mental wellbeing".

Pucovski, who announced himself with a superb 243 for Victoria against Western Australia last season, has a history of mental health battles.

Following that double century, he took a long break and later told reporters: "It was one of those things where what it looked like from the outside wasn't quite matching up with what it was on the inside.

"I was more confused than at any other time in my life," he added.

He seemed to recover and was parachuted into the Australia squad in January for two Tests against Sri Lanka, but did not play and was released during the second Test as he continued to struggle.

Pucovski is the third Australian Test aspirant in recent weeks to take time away from cricket to tackle mental health issues, with Maddinson and Glenn Maxwell also both currently out of action.

Hohns said Neser was included due to "his ability move the ball both ways, giving the team another bowling option depending on the conditions".

"We are blessed to have four of the best fast bowlers in the world challenging each other for spots and most importantly playing as a group," he added. 

Asutralia Test squad: Tim Paine (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lindsey Parnaby

Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was on Friday included in Australia's 17-man squad for a five-Test Ashes series against England alongside Steve Smith and David Warner.

All three batsmen served lengthy bans for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa last year.

Former captain Smith and his then deputy Warner were both given 12-month suspensions by Cricket Australia, with Bancroft -- who applied sandpaper to the ball while in the field during a Test in Cape Town -- banned for nine months.

Both Smith and Warner were expected to be in the Ashes squad after doing well in the recent World Cup, when the defending champions reached the semi-finals.

Bancroft, who has been captaining English county side Durham, appears to have forced his way in after making an unbeaten 93 in the tourists' intra-squad match at Southampton this week.

"David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft have forced their way back into the Test squad through the excellence of their recent performances," said Australia national selector Trevor Hohns in a statement.

Australia have named their Ashes squad:

Paine (c), Bancroft, Cummins, Harris, Hazlewood, Head, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Lyon, Marsh, Neser, Pattinson, Siddle, Smith, Starc, Wade, Warner.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/WDmAFTMm3r

�?ICC (@ICC) July 26, 2019

David and Steve also have the advantage of being proven players at Test level while Cameron has produced impressive numbers for county side Durham this season.

"His innings in the intra-squad match in Southampton on a tough pitch was outstanding and showed his quality."

Holders Australia are looking to win their first Ashes series in England since 2001.

Australia's 17-man squad for a five-Test Ashes series against England announced on Friday:

Tim Paine (Tasmania, capt/wkt), Cameron Bancroft (Western Australia), Patrick Cummins (New South Wales), Marcus Harris (Victoria), Josh Hazlewood (New South Wales), Travis Head (South Australia), Usman Khawaja (Queensland), Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland), Nathan Lyon (New South Wales), Mitchell Marsh (Western Australia), Michael Neser (Queensland), James Pattinson (Victoria), Peter Siddle (Victoria), Steve Smith (New South Wales), Mitchell Starc (New South Wales), Matthew Wade (Tasmania, wkt), David Warner (New South Wales)

Fixtures

August 1-5: First Test, Edgbaston

August 7-9: Worcestershire v Australians, Worcester

August 14-18: Second Test, Lord's

August 22-26: Third Test, Headingley

August 29-31: Derbyshire v Australians, Derby

September 4-8: Fourth Test, Old Trafford

September 12-16: Fifth Test, Oval

 

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Saeed Khan

Cameron Bancroft gave Australia's selectors something to think about with a last gasp bid for Ashes squad selection by making an unbeaten 93 in the tourists' intra-squad match at Southampton on Thursday.

Bancroft, back in Test contention after he was banned for his part in a ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town in March last year, opened the batting at Hampshire's headquarters and his innings helped the Graeme Hick XI beat the Brad Haddin XI by five wickets.

Bancroft was the only batsman apart from David Warner -- also banned for his part in the affair -- to pass fifty in the match, with his innings coming just a day before Australia announce their Ashes squad on Friday.

Bowlers dominated as a match scheduled for four days ended on the third with former captain Steve Smith, the third member of the banned ball-tampering trio, managing scores of just eight and nine in his two innings at the Rose Bowl.

The Haddin XI were all out for 105 and 170, while the side of fellow assistant coach Hick were dismissed for 120 before they reached their target of 156 in their second innings for the loss of five wickets.

Fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh each took six wickets in the match, while veteran seamer Peter Siddle bagged five.

The first of a five-Test series between England and Australia starts at Edgbaston on August 1.

Australia hold the Ashes but have not won a Test series away to arch-rivals England since 2001.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Gianluigi Guercia

Cameron Bancroft hit an unbeaten and match-winning 151 on his one-day debut for Durham as the disgraced Australia batsman started to repay the English county's faith in him.

"Hopefully (I'm winning the crowd over). I'm just going out there to enjoy my cricket and to enjoy playing for Durham. Hopefully, making some runs and if that's going to win them over, fantastic," he said.

Bancroft was banned for nine months after being caught in the Australia ball-tampering scandal during their tour of South Africa last year

The 'sandpaper-gate' incident during the Newlands Test against South Africa also led to Bancroft's Australia team-mates Steve Smith and David Warner receiving year-long suspensions.

After returning in Australia's Big Bash League in December, and playing a role in the back end of Western Australia's current Sheffield Shield campaign, Bancroft has joined up with Durham with a view to making Australia's Ashes squad.

Durham, now under a new Australian director of cricket in Marcus North, attracted criticism in some quarters when they recruited Bancroft.

But the 26-year-old was controversially appointed Durham captain and, making his maiden limited overs appearance for the northeast side, Bancroft piled up the runs in their 72-run win at home to Northamptonshire in a One-Day Cup match at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.

"Winning always creates a nice feeling," Bancroft told the Northern Echo.

"The guys have been working hard so it's nice to start this tournament really well and personally it was nice to get some runs."

Bancroft, who played in the 2017-18 Ashes, plundered five sixes and eight fours in a 188-minute stay at the crease. Together with Michael Richardson, he put on 208 for the fourth-wicket before the latter was ousted in the final over.

Durham went on to score 342 for five from their 50 overs.

Cameron Bancroft says he has been "completely accountable" for his role in the Australian ball-tampering scandal as he prepares to make his county cricket bow as Durham captain, with an Ashes return in his sights.

Bancroft was banned for nine months for ball-tampering in a Test against South Africa in Cape Town last year while former Australia captain Steve Smith and deputy David Warner received year-long suspensions. Bancroft's ban ended in December.

"We all make mistakes and I guess it's how you're able to grow as a person, in admitting and being honest with yourself about those mistakes," said Bancroft, 26, who used sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball.

"I certainly have been and, as a person, that's something that I'm completely accountable for and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Bancroft, who has played eight Tests for Australia, has his sights set on regaining his spot in Australia's Test side ahead of this year's Ashes series in England.

However, his immediate thoughts are with Durham, where he has been appointed captain for their campaigns in the County Championship and One-Day Cup. Speaking at the club's Chester-le-Street ground on Wednesday, the Australian added:

"The aspiration to play Test cricket is certainly in my mind and where I'd love to be one day. But I also can't be there. I'm here right now.

"(Playing for Australia) would mean a lot to me, definitely. But I also know that I've got a lot of great things in my life.

"Even just playing club cricket back home in Perth, it's a game I felt like where you get self-absorbed and single-minded in your pursuits to achieve things but at the forefront is just the enjoyment of it all.

"If I do that then I know the results will take off themselves, hopefully. Hopefully it will happen one day."

Shamed former Australia captain Steve Smith has backed fellow ball-tamperer Cameron Bancroft as an astute choice to skipper English county side Durham after his appointment raised eyebrows.

Smith, Bancroft and David Warner were all banned over the scandal involving sandpaper to alter the ball in South Africa last year, but are now back playing.

While Warner was also barred from ever holding a leadership role again and Smith prevented from doing so for 12 months after his one-year suspension expired, Bancroft was free to assume a captaincy.

Durham appointed him last month, insisting he was "the best available option" despite criticism from some quarters, including former English bowler Darren Gough who slammed it as "disgraceful".

But Smith said Bancroft had shown "great character" in the way he handled his ban and return to cricket.

"Cam is a good choice for captain," Smith told ESPNcricinfo. "He's got a good head on his shoulders and has shown great character in the way he has come back after his time out.

"It has been a tough time for him no doubt, but he's a good guy who will do his best for Durham and will lead them well.

"He gets the game pretty well and has a good understanding of strategy and players," he added.

"He's found a bit of form with the bat and will be able to use his experience in a positive way."

Bancroft's selection was controversial not just due to the cheating scandal but also because he is missing Durham's Championship opener to attend Western Australia's end-of-season awards dinner and could also be selected for Australia's Ashes series in England.

Durham chief executive Tim Bostock has defended his appointment.

"I think he'll be a breath of fresh air, he'll bring a different perspective to leadership," he said last month. Bancroft is one of around 10 Australian players set to appear for English county sides this season, including Joe Burns, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell.