‘Our cameras will be sharp’: South African broadcaster SuperSport takes dig in Australia over Sandpapergate ahead of Test series

Pat Cummins (image credit: Agencies( South African sports broadcaster SuperSport has taken a dig in Australia ahead of its first Test series in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, also known as Sandpapergate. Australia will take on South Africa in the three-match series, with the opening Test scheduled to take place at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, October 9 at 1:00 PM IST.SuperSport released a promo for the X ahead of the three-Test series, saying its cameras “will be sharp”. The post included a camera emoticon that brings back memories of the 2018 Newlands incident in Cape Town.

SuperSport cameras captured Bancroft in 2018

SuperSport’s legacy dates back to March 24, 2018, when its cameras caught Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft working the ball with a small yellow object during a Test against South Africa at Newlands.The footage showed Bancroft using the object on the ball before putting it down his trousers. The incident led to the ball-tampering scandal that came to be known as Sandpapergate.The footage was shown on a large screen near the ground. Australia’s head coach at the time, Darren Lehmann, sent a message to 12th man Peter Handscomb, while the incident quickly became the headlines in cricket.SuperSport’s cameras were also asked to track something unusual during the series after the umpires reportedly became suspicious of Australia’s efforts to change the ball.Broadcast coverage included more than 30 cameras, 18 of which were manned by camera crews.

Several Australian players return with memories of 2018

Australia’s current squad includes several players who were part of the team during the Newlands scandal.Steve Smith, who was Australia’s captain at the time, is now vice-captain under Pat Cummins. Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon also played at Newlands in 2018. Matthew Renshaw, who joined the squad as a replacement for the last Test of the series, is also back in the squad. David Warner has retired while Cameron Bancroft has not played a Test for over six years.The scandal has received more attention in the Australian media than in South Africa in recent weeks. However, the team could face some reminders of the incident during the tour.

Australia return to Newlands for the third Test

South Africa enter the series as reigning Test World Cup winners after defeating Australia in last year’s final at Lord’s. Australia, meanwhile, will be looking to collect points in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The second Test will be played at Gqeberha from October 18.The third Test, scheduled to begin at Newlands on October 27, will bring Australia back to the site of the 2018 scandal.