England fast bowler Stuart Broad became the latest cricketer to join the bandwagon and reacted to Cameron Bancroft's fresh claims on the infamous ball-tampering saga during the Cape Town Test between Australia and South Africa back in March 2018.
Recently, Bancroft, who was caught on camera trying to change the condition of the ball using sandpaper in a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town, hinted that only he, David Warner, and Steve Smith weren’t aware of the illegal tactic, but the bowling attack was also aware.
However, Warner and Smith – both served one year suspension each for their role in the Sandpaper Gate scandal – haven’t yet reacted to Bancroft’s claims. Though, Cricket Australia is open to reinvestigate the forgettable chapter in Australian cricket once again.
Reacting to Bancroft's fresh claims, Broad said Warner will have more to reveal about the 2018 ball-tampering scandal once he retires and writes a book, as he is expecting bigger revelations by the explosive Aussie opener after his retirement from international cricket.
The English pacer also said if he misses a seam by four millimeters, his partner James Anderson is quick to tell him that he is missing the seam, as he explained how the bowlers in the team are well aware of the condition of the ball and everyone has to look after it.
Broad was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo, “I've obviously never bowled within the Australian bowling attack but I can talk about how, in an England Test team, if I miss the seam by four millimeters, Jimmy Anderson is on me. He'll be saying 'why has this ball got a mark on it here? It's because you've missed the seam! Start hitting the seam, will you'.”
He further elaborates on his point, “Reverse swing with the red ball can be affected by so many different things. If you chase it to the boundary and throw it into the grass it can smooth the ball over and stop it reversing. If you touch the ball with wet hands it will stop it reversing. If you shine it in a way that smooths over the rough side it will stop it reversing. So as an England team, we are aware if we're trying to get the ball reversing every player has to buy into that or it will stop it.”
On the latest ball-tampering revelations by Bancroft, the pacer said: “There's no doubt the Aussies would have been hoping this episode was signed sealed, and delivered. It was an incredibly tough thing for those three players to go through. I can't see it still being a conversation when the Ashes start in November, December, but I can see it being sung in the Barmy Army stands if they're allowed.”
Broad signed off by saying, “I have seen a couple of comments from David Warner's agent, too, and I think it will be an interesting time when he stops playing for Australia and writes a book.”
(With ANI Inputs)
