Ball Tampering in Cricket: Laws, the Sandpapergate Scandal of 2018, and How the Bans Reshaped Australian Cricket
A complete guide to ball-tampering in cricket — what constitutes illegal ball interference, the 2018 Cape Town sandpapergate incident involving Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, the bans imposed, and the aftermath.
Ball tampering in cricket refers to the illegal alteration of the ball's condition to gain a bowling advantage — applying substances, picking the seam, or scratching the surface in ways prohibited by the Laws of Cricket. The sport's most significant ball-tampering incident — 'Sandpapergate' — occurred during the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018, when Cameron Bancroft was observed on television cameras using sandpaper to scratch the ball's surface. The subsequent admission by Bancroft, Steve Smith (captain), and David Warner (vice-captain) that the action had been pre-planned by the leadership group led to Cricket Australia imposing one-year bans on Smith and Warner and a nine-month ban on Bancroft.
What the Laws Say About Ball Condition
Law 41 of the Laws of Cricket (Unfair Play) defines what players may and may not do to maintain the ball. Permitted actions: polishing the ball with saliva or sweat; wiping the ball dry; removing mud from the ball; and naturally roughing one side through contact with the pitch. Prohibited actions: applying any artificial substance (wax, petroleum jelly, lip balm, sweets); lifting or picking the seam with fingernails or any implement; rubbing the ball on the ground deliberately to rough it; or any other action that changes the condition of either side of the ball artificially. Umpires may inspect the ball at any time if they suspect tampering; if tampering is confirmed, 5 penalty runs are awarded to the batting team and the ball is replaced.
Sandpapergate: What Happened in Cape Town
During the third Test in Cape Town on 24 March 2018, television cameras captured Cameron Bancroft rubbing one side of the ball with what appeared to be a yellow object. When the incident was reviewed, it was identified as sandpaper (Bancroft initially claimed it was a yellow sticky tape used for collecting sweat). Bancroft had been instructed by the team's leadership group — Smith and Warner — to use the sandpaper to roughen the ball artificially, accelerating the conditions that would enable reverse swing. When confronted at the end of the day's play, Bancroft and Smith admitted what had happened; Smith stated the 'leadership group' had decided on the plan and that Warner had proposed it. Warner denied having proposed the plan specifically but did not deny knowledge.
The Bans and Their Impact
Cricket Australia imposed 12-month international cricket bans on Steve Smith and David Warner, and a 9-month ban on Cameron Bancroft. Warner was additionally banned from ever holding a leadership position in Australian cricket again. The bans covered all international cricket — Tests, ODIs, and T20Is — and Smith and Warner also missed the 2018 IPL season. The bans were widely considered the harshest penalties in Australian cricket history for a playing offence. Australia's performances during the bans suffered significantly: they lost Test series against South Africa, England, India, and Pakistan during the 12-month period. Both Smith and Warner returned to cricket in 2019, Smith in time for the Ashes where he scored 774 runs in 7 innings, demonstrating his continued elite quality.
Ball Tampering Incidents Before Sandpapergate
- 2010: Pakistan vs England — spot-fixing investigation uncovered ball-tampering practices in the same series; Shahid Afridi faced ban for biting the ball
- 2016: England vs South Africa — South Africa fined for ball-tampering in Lord's Test (Faf du Plessis in earlier incident also fined in 2013 in Australia)
- 2003: Michael Vaughan warned about ball condition in Pakistan Test series
- 2018: Faf du Plessis (South Africa) repeatedly fined for using saliva with mint residue from confectionery
- 1994: Mike Atherton (England captain) fined for using dirt from his pocket to dry the ball — not technically tampering but widely reported as such
Frequently asked questions
What is ball tampering in cricket?
Ball tampering is the illegal alteration of the cricket ball's condition to gain a bowling advantage. The Laws of Cricket (Law 41) permit polishing with saliva or sweat, but prohibit applying artificial substances, picking the seam, scratching the surface with implements, or deliberately roughing one side beyond natural wear. Ball tampering is a criminal offence under cricket's rules — penalties include 5 penalty runs and ball replacement, and player sanctions range from fines to lengthy bans depending on severity.
What happened in the 2018 sandpapergate incident?
During the third Test between Australia and South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018, Cameron Bancroft was filmed using sandpaper to scratch the ball's surface — an illegal alteration designed to accelerate reverse swing conditions. He had been instructed to do so by the team's leadership group: captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner had pre-planned the scheme. All three admitted the offence; Cricket Australia imposed 12-month bans on Smith and Warner and a 9-month ban on Bancroft. Warner was also banned from holding a cricket leadership role in Australia permanently.
Was Steve Smith banned from cricket after sandpapergate?
Yes — Steve Smith received a 12-month ban from all international cricket and IPL cricket following the 2018 sandpapergate incident. The ban ran from April 2018 to April 2019. Smith also lost the Australian captaincy and was stripped of his vice-captaincy of the Rajasthan Royals IPL franchise. He returned to international cricket for the 2019 Ashes series, where he scored 774 runs in 7 innings at an average of 110.57, demonstrating his continued batting excellence despite the absence.