Australia ball-tampering scandal: who's saying what

Australia’s Cameron Bancroft and captain Steve Smith admitted to ball-tampering during the third Test against South Africa on Saturday, sending shockwaves through cricket.

Here is how the cricketing world reacted to the scandal.

Bancroft was caught on television cameras appearing to rub a yellow object on the ball, and later said: “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I want to be here (in the press conference) because I want to be accountable for my actions.”

Smith added: “The leadership group knew about it.”

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“The Captain of Australia admits to cheating… put him on a plane out of here Cricket Australia. Your Legacy deserves better.”

Former South Africa spinner Pat Symcox on Twitter

“This was a pre-meditated attempt by the Australian team to cheat.”

Former England captain Nasser Hussain

“I feel a bit for Cameron Bancroft because I don’t think he’s taken it upon himself to do something and put it in his pocket. Who’s told him to do that? It’s important to find out that. I think we’ve got to get to the bottom of why that has happened and what was it. You’ve got to own up. You’ve been caught, you’ve got to own up and say what was it you were hiding. You can’t have that in the game.”

Ex-Aussie star Shane Warne

“In my opinion he has tampered with the ball, and used an object to do that. Clearly he’s hiding something away from the umpires and when they approach him he pulls something outside of his pocket.”

South Africa’s former captain Graeme Smith on TV commentary

“My 2cents worth – This will be Darren Lehmann’s greatest test as a coach, cos I will struggle to believe that this was all Bancroft’s idea. #SandpaperGate.”

Kevin Pietersen on Twitter.

 

“In tennis, players can skip the mandatory press conference, if they pay a hefty fine. I imagine if that option was available in cricket, CA would be writing a cheque right now. #damagecontrol.”

Former India women’s player Snehal Pradhan