"A Similar Incident Happened To Me When I Was Four Or Five Tests Old": Faf du Plessis Feels For Cameron Bancroft After "Sandpapergate"

Former South African captain Faf du Plessis expressed sympathy for Australian batter Cameron Bancroft, who received a suspension for his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal in 2018.

Du Plessis acknowledged that the penalties imposed on the Australians who tampered with the ball ended up being considerably tougher, recalling a similar incident he had at the beginning of his Test career.

Bancroft received a nine-month suspension from Cricket Australia (CA), whereas David Warner and Steve Smith received 12-month suspensions for their roles in the ball-tampering incident. Due to allegations of ball tampering during a Test match against Pakistan in Dubai in 2013, Plessis was penalized 50% of his match fee.

The veteran Proteas cricket player detailed the “Sandpapergate” issue in his book “Faf: Through Fire.” On the “The Grade Cricketer” YouTube channel, Faf du Plessis admitted that he felt awful for the Australians who received suspensions: “How extreme it was for the Australian cricketers during Sandpapergate.” If you had to take the guys before, including myself, who did the same thing, it was never treated so brutally.”

“I felt bad for the guys who were going through it. I talk about Cameron Bancroft in my book, and it’s almost as if we went through the same thing. A similar thing happened to me when I was about 4-5 Tests old.”

“The fact that zips were removed from trousers because of me, and then also mint and jelly babies, I don’t think that’s something to be too proud of,” Faf du Plessis remarked.

Faf du Plessis discloses message to Steve Smith after Sandpapergate:

Smith, the team captain at the time of the Sandpapergate controversy, received a message from Faf du Plessis, who also disclosed this throughout the conversation. The Proteas cricketer recalled feeling sympathetic toward the Australian and said:

“The first person I messaged was Steve Smith, and I said, ‘Listen, I’m really sorry you’re going through this.’ I’ve been through it, and it’s awful. Your character will be smashed for the next week. Just keep going.’ But I didn’t realize at the time that his period of anguish would last a year when mine was only a week.”

Smith, 33, was outstanding in the recently concluded three-match One-Day International series against England at home. He hit 195 home runs with a strike rate of 93.75 and an average of 97.50.

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