Video appearing to show Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft pouring sugar into his pocket before facing England in January’s fifth Ashes test has re-emerged as the sport reels from the Australian team’s admission of ball-tampering against South Africa.
Footage circulated on social media over the weekend seems to show Bancroft in a tea room lifting a spoonful of sugar into his hand, and then depositing it in his pocket.
Here’s Cameron Bancroft appearing to put sugar in his pocket against England in January… pic.twitter.com/ju6W47PECc
— David Coverdale (@dpcoverdale) March 24, 2018
It’s unclear what exactly the sugar was used for. However, it has been speculated the granules could have been used to illegally scuff the ball to encourage swing, much in the same way Bancroft used sticky tape and dirt to alter the surface of the ball in the ongoing one day series against South Africa.
The footage has raised further questions about the integrity of the Australian squad.
Already, captain Steve Smith and beleaguered second-in-command David Warner have stepped down from their leadership duties for the remainder of the series after admitting senior players had devised the plan; rookie opener Bancroft himself was charged with ball tampering and could face a significant fine.
Fans and cricket luminaries alike have called for Smith to stand down entirely; former Australian test captain Michael Clarke has even voiced his desire to don the Baggy Green once more.
Not a good look, tbh.
