Entire Australia Team Knew About Ball-Tampering, Should Have Been Fined Heavily: Allan Lamb

The infamous ball-tampering scandal which took place at Newlands in left a dark spot on Australia’s rich history in world cricket. But sport is all about comebacks with Australia and its tainted players in the sandpaper gate scandal doing it to the fore. A re-grouped Australian side retained the Ashes urn in England while former captain Steve Smith regained his top spot in Test rankings dislodging India captain Virat Kohli from the throne.

The sandpaper gate scandal had seen Steve Smith and ‘chief plotter’ David Warner being banned for a year-each with Cameron Bancroft being handed a nine-month suspension. Steve Smith and David Warner were also stripped off their captaincy roles, additionally being barred from leading the side for two years.

After the incident, Steve Smith left for Australia, being escorted by security officials at the airport. He, Warner and Bancroft were subsequently left in tears on addressing the media after reaching their country.

Entire Australia team knew, should have been fined heavily: Allan Lamb

England great Allan Lamb feels the one-year suspension was too harsh on Smith and Warner. He reckons the entire team knew about what was going on, and should have been punished equally. Lamb, who contributed to the fore for England in his 20 Ashes appearances, said every member from the team involved in the sandpaper gate scandal should have been fined heavily.

“We saw what happened with (David) Warner and (Steve) Smith, listen the problem the whole team knew, I think, a year-ban was really too much, to be honest. I think whole team should have been fined heavily and may have been suspended, but only a short suspension, because they all knew what was going on, every bowler knew what was happening with the ball from the coach to and the CEO knew what was going on, the umpires reported,” Allan Lamb told Cricket Addictor.

Australia are slated to host India for a four-match Test series later in the year. The last time both the teams faced-off India registered their first Test series win Down Under.