‘Sandpapergate’ to be reopened
Melbourne, May 17: As Cricket Australia (CA) on Monday made it clear that it was open to a re-investigation into the ‘Sandpapergate’, former captain Michael Clarke said he won’t be surprised if it comes to light that more players were aware of the ball-tampering plot in 2018. He also accused CA of sweeping the issue under the carpet.
“If you are playing sport at the highest level you know your tools that good it’s not funny. Can you imagine that ball being thrown back to the bowler and the bowler not knowing about it? Please,” Clarke told Sky Sports radio on Monday.
“I love how the articles in the paper are, ‘It is such a big surprise that Cameron Bancroft has made a ...’ Actually, if you read his quotes, it is not what he did say as what he didn’t say in regards to other people knowing about ‘sandpapergate’,” he said.
Following Bancroft’s interview, Cricket Australia’s integrity team has already approached the pacer for more information.
“What’s the surprise? That more than three people knew? I don’t think anybody who has played the game of cricket, or knows a little bit about cricket, would know that in a team like that, at the highest level, when the ball is such an important part of the game,” Clarke said.
“That’s why there’s going to be finger-pointing until someone writes their book and tells the complete, honest truth.”
Adam Gilchrist said CA did not carry out a thorough investigation into the ‘sandpapergate’ by refusing to go deeper into the problem. Gilchrist said CA, in the course of the whole episode, missed out on an opportunity to make a strong statement.
“There was an opportunity for CA if they were going to make such a strong statement they needed to do a more thorough investigation to work out where the root of the problem was," Gilchrist was quoted as saying on Radio.