The Australia Cricket probe into the weekend's ball tampering saga against South Africa has unearthed a number of shocking truths, including confirmation it was sandpaper, not tape, that Cameron Bancroft used to alter the ball.
After the Australians were caught tampering with the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, Bancroft told reporters he had used sticky tape during the match before tucking it down his pants.
Bancroft said he tried to pick up rough granules from the side of the pitch with the sticky tape and rub it on the ball to try and change its condition.
The 1 NEWS Sport reporter say there may be more fallout from the scandal after Smith, Warner and Bancroft were cut from the Test squad.
"We had a discussion during the break and I saw an opportunity to use some tape, get some granules from rough patches on the wicket to change the ball condition," Bancroft said on Saturday.
"We have this yellow tape in our kit and it is connected to some padding but the sticky stuff is very sticky and I felt like it could be used to collect some stuff from the side of the pitch and I have been charged with ball tampering."
However, Cricket Australia's report confirms that story was a lie used to cover up the truth the Australians were using sandpaper instead.
"Sandpaper is not uncommon in the kits of cricketers, particularly batsmen, who use it to smooth their bats when changing bat sponsor stickers," Cricket Australia said this morning.
"However, it is strictly forbidden to be used on the ball, as is any artificial, foreign agent."
Bancroft has received a nine month ban for his actions while Smith and David Warner have been handed 12-month suspensions.
SHARE ME