Cameron Bancroft admits to ball tampering

Australian skipper Steve Smith and batsman Cameron Bancroft admitted to charges of ball-tampering after the latter was found trying to change the condition of the ball by using a foreign

Australian skipper Steve Smith and batsman Cameron Bancroft admitted to charges of ball-tampering after the latter was found trying to change the condition of the ball by using a foreign object. The tampering was done during the third day of the third Test match at Newlands against South Africa on Saturday.

According to the footage, a small, yellow object was seen in Bancroft’s hands after he had worked on the ball, and he was also captured taking it from his pocket and seeming to place it down his trousers.

It showed Bancroft seeming to rub the rough side of the ball, the opposite side to which he would usually be trying to shine on his trousers, as is permitted under ICC playing conditions.

He appeared to put the object down his pants apparently after being spoken to by the substitute Peter Handscomb, who had come on to the field after speaking to coach Darren Lehmann over the walkie-talkie.

Cricket Australia has launched a probe into stunning ball-tampering revelations that have plunged the country’s cricket team in crisis. However, CEO James Sutherland has come out in support of under-fire skipper Steve Smith and said that he will continue to lead the side until the end of the investigation.

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