‘I still have the memories’: Steve Smith recalls Sandpapergate 2018 ahead of South Africa tour

Steve Smith (Image credit: The Agency) NEW DELHI: Steve Smith has admitted that memories of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal sometimes come back to haunt him, but the Australian batsman is not worried about facing a hostile reception when he returns to South Africa for the Test series.Smith was one of the central figures in the controversy during Australia’s Test against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018. He was sent home, suspended for 12 months and recalled as Australia’s captain after admitting his involvement in a plan to alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper.David Warner was also banned for a year and removed from leadership roles, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month ban.Almost eight years later, Smith is set to return to South Africa with Australia for the three-Test series starting in Durban on October 9.

‘It was a traumatic experience in my life’

The 37-year-old said the events surrounding his suspension are still hard to completely forget. He particularly remembers the intense media attention he faced after leaving South Africa.“I’m not a big fan of cameras… To be honest, I have camera anxiety. It was a traumatic experience in my life and hearing the flash of a camera kind of makes me look at it again,” Smith told News Corp.“The 24-48 hours when James Sutherland told me I was getting banned for a year. That and going through Johannesburg airport was absolutely harassed and then flying back and doing that press conference. I still have little flashbacks here and there,” he added.

Australia tour South Africa 2026: Complete programme

DateMatchVenueStart of Match (IST)Local Time 24 September 20261. ODIKingsmead, Durban1:30 PM10:00 27 September 20262. ODIThe Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg1:30 PM10:00 DIS 23 September 20 September Potchefstroom 17:00 13:30 9 October 20261. TestKingsmead, Durban1:00 9:30 18 Oct 20262 TestSt George’s Park, Gqeberha1:30 10:00 City 20263, Cape Town10263, Test PM10:00

‘The mental state I was in wasn’t great’

Smith said the first days after the scandal were particularly difficult. He also said the experience taught him important lessons and helped him move forward.“It was definitely a tough period, especially the initial period a few days after. The mental state I was in wasn’t great. It’s a place I don’t want to be in, but I’ve definitely learned from it and been able to move on with my life,” he said.The upcoming Australia series will be the team’s first Test assignment in South Africa since the 2018 series. The two teams last met in a Test match in last year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s.