Sandpapergate Part One: The Aussie ball tempering scandal!

 PART ONE OF THREE

Australia is a proud sporting nation, although the dark side rearers it ugly headed from time to time whether it be Adam Goodes being racially abused into retirement, Melbourne Storm cheating the salary cap, doping scandals and the idea behind this article Sandpapergate which stood above the rest and challenged the very ethics of Australian sport.

‘Ball-tampering within international cricket is not new or uncommon with the primary motivation being to interfere with the aerodynamics of the ball to aid in swing bowling. There are many examples of this including New-Zealand bowler Chris Pringle in 1990 and in 2010 Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson who were accused of Ball-tampering. However on the 24th of March 2018 the media and public response to Sandpapergate was unparalleled.

Looking at the build up of cause towards the events of March 2018, two people who stand out include Steve Smith and David Warner. In August 2015, After Michael Clarke's injury Steve Smith took over the role of captaincy along with David Warner as vice. Their styles of captaincy couldn't be more different as Warner had a more aggressive approach in stark contrast to Steve Smith’s more calmer demeanor which proved to be an issue and the more they worked together the more it seemed it wasn't going to work as well as it was initially sought out to be. Unlike Warner, Smith was not a confrontational character until he became captain and then progressively came under fire for getting ‘more into it’ with opposition players. Their different styles of leadership couldn't be more different and it eventually affected the way the team worked in the following period.

In December of 2016, Australia travelled to Hobart to play South Africa in the second Test Match of the series after being beaten in Perth a week earlier. The pressure on the side is at an all time high, Steve Smith in particular feeling the most in his second year of full captaincy, is facing a fifth straight test defeat as that is simply not allowed to happen for Australia. They were bowled out for 85 and lost the test match and the series. They are then confronted by Cricket Australia's CEO at the time James Sullivan and Pat Howard, the general manager of team performance. The Australian Cricket team are not allowed to lose, and the players are going to discover this.

Steve Smith states in his book that “ A dressing down from what you could describe as the suites. It's not something I'd ever experienced before in my career and I hope it's not something I'll ever experience again” He also states “We don’t pay you to play, we pay you to win.

David Warner's manager claimed Cricket Australia approved ball-tampering plans well ahead of the Cape Town scandal if that is what was going to get them to win.

Heading into the ashes, Australia are favored to win the series, but England winning might not be so inconceivable due to the weakness of the Aussies top order Australia the dropped left handed wicketkeeper Matthew Wade for Tim Paine and called up Cameron Bancroft. Steve Smith put the team on his back and produced a 141 not out which led to Australia winning the match and propelled Australia through to win the series and regain the ashes.

“ It’s obviously huge pressure. No matter what series you play here in Australia, you're always expected to win. That's what we expect of ourselves as well. You know?” - Steve Smith post WACA test.

No rest for the Aussies as they found themselves on a plane to South Africa.

When playing in a place like South Africa, there are a number of factors that play a role. Number one being the players, underrated on the world stage but bitterly tough, The Proteas in 2018 had arguably had the best batting lineup in the world AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock, there bowling line up was nothing short of extraordinary with Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander. Number two being the media, in particular Supersport [South Africa's main cricket broadcaster]. And Number Three, the supporters full of passion and unrelenting support. Despite all this going into the test it seemed Australia still had a chance as being seen as a tough test and after the first two days of the test match Australia were well on top.

Australia and South Africa aren't friends, this is shown with the war of words from both sides leading up to day three. On day four of the series South Africa fell behind, however AB de Villiers proved to be a tough test for Australia as they couldn't get him out. Until Markram pushed on into the leg side which led to de Villiers getting run out.

Another interesting character in this story is Quinton de Kock, an interesting cricketer who has a fair share of controversies. He took it upon himself to throw personal attacks at David Warner. In Tim Paine’s book he states “Davey was chirpy, and he was particularly keen to have a chat with Quinton de Kock. He was into him every ball about being overweight, unprofessional, having a big off season on the food. It was essentially harmless but he was relentless.” “ Davy was at him on the way off for lunch on day four, I was nearby and heard the whole conversation. David was upset because he thought he heard de Kock make comments about his wife Candice. But then the South African team came up with a story that David had started it by making a comment about de Kock’s sister.”

“ I was there. I was the one holding them apart and I know how it unfolded. In my view. Davy had every right to be upset.” The war of words continued up the stairs but Faf du Plessis and Tim Paine calmed the situation down. This incident seemingly added gasoline to the fire. Pressure began to build off the pitch when CSA officials were photographed wearing Sonny Bill Williams which was taken as taunting David Warner due to an incident between his wife Candice and the professional boxer.

Now it's time to head to Cape Town…