Australia must face ‘Sandpapergate’ past in Proteas series, says Graeme Smith

The memories of “Sandpapergate” return to SA this week, with former captain Graeme Smith warning Australia to prepare for renewed scrutiny as their multi-format tour gets under way on Thursday.

The Aussies will face the Proteas in a three-match ODI series starting in Durban before the focus shifts to the red-ball leg of the tour in October.

The sides meet in the longer format for the first time in SA since the infamous 2018 series.

It was during that series, in the third Test at Newlands, that Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using a foreign object to alter the ball, bringing an explosive conclusion to an already fractious contest between the two sides.

JUST IN! #Australia own up to #BallTampering during Day3 #Test against #SouthAfrica . Ball now in @ICC 's court. #SandpaperGate #SAvAUS #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/8eGE99LqrL

Smith was in the commentary box when the incident unfolded and believes the controversy remains part of Australia’s story, and they should expect questions from both the media and supporters upon their return to the shores of Mzansi.

“Talk of ‘Sandpapergate’ will be around for the whole series. If I was in the Australian camp, I would be preparing for it,” Smith said on the Betway Insider Blog.

“If it was any other team arriving in Australia, you would hear about it from the media and the crowds from the day you got off that plane to the day you left.

“A part of touring is dealing with that, and it’s something that Australia can’t shy away from now.”

“There’s no holier then thou attitude. Everyone makes mistakes in their lives. We don’t wish difficulty on any human being,” say SA batsman Hashim Amla ahead of the 4th test #SAvsAus #sandpapergate 🎥: @Ihsaan_Haffo pic.twitter.com/ywMWo3TmCw

The scandal resulted in 12-month bans for captain Steve Smith and David Warner, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months.

Coach Darren Lehmann also resigned in the aftermath as Australian cricket dealt with the fallout.

Smith believes their southern hemisphere neighbours must manage the issue instead of letting it overshadow matters on the field, particularly given the intensity that has traditionally accompanied contests between the two proud cricketing nations.

“It’s part of their history, and it’s something they’re going to have to deal with, whether it’s at a media conference or at the grounds,” he said.