Australian cricket hit a new low after a ball tampering incident came to light on Day 3 of the third Test between Australia and South Africa.
Bancroft confessed to use yellow tape, which he pulled out of his trouser pocket to rub and tamper the ball. Also, skipper Steve Smith said the leadership group knew about the same in the post-match conference.
Previously, Waqar Younis became the first bowler in 2002 to receive a ban for ball tampering. While Michael Atherton and Faf du Plessis too were found guilty in the past. Also Indian cricketers like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar have been duped for the same.
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Faf du Plessis
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was seen chewing mint and then used his saliva to shine the ball during the 2016 tour of Australia. Faf du Plessis pleaded not guilty to the charges but the match referee fined him 100% of his match fee. He was able to avoid a suspension and responded to these allegations with a hundred in the next match.
Rahul Dravid
Former India captain Rahul Dravid, who is considered a true gentleman, was also been accused of ball-tampering during an ODI against Zimbabwe in 2004. Dravid was fined for rubbing an object on one side of the ball. Dravid denied all allegations but he was fined 50% of his match fee by Clive Lloyd, the match referee.
Waqar Younis
In the year 2002, Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis was charged with ball tampering. The TV cameras showed him lifting the seam off the ball during an ODI against Sri Lanka. The speedster became the first cricketer to be handed a ban for ball tampering. Waqar's partner-in-crime, Azhar Mahmood, who was scraping the ball with his nails, was fined 30% of his match fee.
Sachin Tendulkar
The 'God of Cricket', Sachin Tendulkar was fined 75% of his match fee and suspended from one Test, after match referee Mike Denness alleged that Sachin had tampered with the ball. This incident occured during India's 2001 tour of South Africa.His ban caused widespread outrage and the next match, from which Tendulkar was banned, was deemed "unofficial".
The entire cricket fraternity and fans have been stunned by the entire affair.