Smith 'traumatised' by 'sandpapergate'
Australian batter Steve Smith says he still gets flashbacks from the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, which saw him banned for a year and stripped of the captaincy
Steve Smith, the Australian batter, says he is still traumatised by the aftermath of the 'sandpapergate' ball-tampering scandal in 2018. The incident occurred during the third Test between Australia and South Africa, where Smith and two teammates, Cameron Bancroft and David Warner, were sent home and banned by Cricket Australia.
Smith was stripped of the captaincy and banned for a year by Cricket Australia, while Bancroft was banned for nine months for ball-tampering. Vice-captain David Warner was also banned for a year. The incident occurred during South Africa's second innings of the third Test, where Bancroft was caught tampering with the ball by rubbing it with sandpaper.
The aftermath of the incident was intense, with Australia's then prime minister Malcolm Turnbull saying the affair 'bitterly disappointed the whole nation'. Smith has said that he still gets flashbacks from the incident, and that the media attention he received at the time was traumatic. He has described feeling like he was 'thrown to the wolves' as he navigated the airport in Johannesburg and faced a press conference on his return to Australia.
## What happened next Despite the setback, Smith has since returned to the Australia team and re-established himself as one of the best batters in world cricket. He was named Australia's Test vice-captain before the 2021-22 Ashes series. The Australian team is now set to play their first Test series in South Africa since the 'sandpapergate' incident.
## Why it matters The 'sandpapergate' incident had significant consequences for Australian cricket, with the team's reputation and culture being called into question. The incident also highlighted the intense media scrutiny that sportspeople can face, and the potential impact on their mental health. Smith's comments highlight the ongoing effects of the incident, and the need for support and understanding for athletes who have experienced traumatic events.
The incident has also had a lasting impact on the sport of cricket, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) introducing new rules and regulations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The incident has also led to a greater focus on player welfare and mental health, with many teams and organizations implementing new support systems and protocols to help players cope with the pressures of the sport.
