Hindustan Times (Amritsar)

How tampering plot was hatched

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LUNCH

South Africa go to lunch with a lead of more than 100 and the loss of a single wicket. Australia’s leadership group, including Smith and other senior players, hatch a plan to tamper with the ball to gain reverse swing. Bancroft is chosen to carry out the task. TAMPERING

Bancroft uses yellow sticky tape and grit from the pitch and to work on the ball while attempting to shine it. CAMERA

Host broadcaste­rs repeatedly show close-up footage of Bancroft rubbing the ball on the big screen at Newlands. Footage also suggests Australia head coach Darren Lehmann saw the images and subsequent­ly sent substitute Peter Handscomb on to the field to alert Bancroft. LEHMANN

The head coach is seen talking on a two-way radio while Handscomb is out on the field with a similar device speaking to Bancroft.

TAPE

Television images show Bancroft, after being alerted, shoving the tape clumsily down the front of his trousers to keep it out of the gaze of the umpires. Bancroft later admitted he was nervous and panicked when he realised that cameras in the stadium had caught him in the act.

UMPIRES

The on-field officials confront Bancroft who produces a black sunglass bag from his pockets and the umpires then allow play to continue. INTERVIEWS

Australia opt out of the post-match broadcast interviews with Smith and Bancroft arriving late for the news conference. Facing the cameras, Smith admitted the side’s leadership group had planned to tamper with the ball. Bancroft said he was charged by the ICC with a Level 2 offence for attempting to alter the condition of the ball.

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