Traumatised Smith says he was 'thrown to wolves' over 'sandpapergate'
Summary
Australian cricketer Steve Smith says he still feels upset and stressed about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal known as "sandpapergate." He described being treated harshly by the public and media during the fallout but has since returned to playing at a high level and learned from the experience.Key Facts
- In 2018, Steve Smith and teammates Cameron Bancroft and David Warner were involved in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, where sandpaper was used to alter the cricket ball.
- Smith admitted knowing about the cheating, lost his captaincy, and was banned from cricket for one year.
- Smith and Warner both received one-year bans, while Bancroft was banned for nine months.
- Smith said he felt unsupported and stressed, especially during intense media attention at the airport in Johannesburg and upon returning to Australia.
- He has flashbacks and anxiety triggered by cameras and tries to avoid recalling the events.
- Smith returned to international cricket in 2019 and was later named vice-captain for the Australian Test team.
- He has played multiple times in South Africa and England, often facing hostile crowds but uses that as motivation.
- Australia is scheduled to start a three-Test cricket series in South Africa on October 9, 2024.
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