The 4-match Test series held in South Africa in March 2018 was not just a cricket series; it was an ultimate test of Australia’s cricketing legacy. Australia, which held the top spot in the Test rankings in 2016, slipped to the 5th position after losing to India and Bangladesh in 2017. Under these circumstances, James Sutherland, the then Chairman of Cricket Australia, sent a stern message to the players: they were paid not just to play, but to win. This “Win at all cost” mentality eventually turned the series into one of the most disgraceful chapters in cricket history.
1st Test: Kingsmead, Durban (March 1–5, 2018)
Day 1: Australia won the toss and elected to bat. David Warner and Steve Smith anchored the innings steadily. Australia ended the day at 225/5.
Day 2: Bolstered by Mitchell Marsh’s brilliant 96, Australia posted 351 in their first innings. In response, South Africa collapsed for just 162 against Mitchell Starc’s lethal reverse swing. Starc took 5 wickets to hand control to Australia. This innings also saw Nathan Lyon’s controversial celebration after running out AB de Villiers.
Day 3 (March 4 – Warner vs De Kock Spat): Tensions boiled over during Australia’s second innings. CCTV footage showed a heated exchange between David Warner and Quinton de Kock on the staircase leading to the dressing rooms during the tea break. Warner later alleged that De Kock made derogatory remarks about his wife. The tension was so high that umpires had to turn off the stump mics.
Day 4: Chasing a massive target of 417, Aiden Markram played a heroic knock of 143, supported by De Kock. South Africa ended the day at 293/9.
Day 5: South Africa was bowled out for 298, and Australia won by 118 runs.
2nd Test: St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth (March 9–12, 2018)
Day 1: Australia was bowled out for 243 as Kagiso Rabada tore through the lineup with 5 wickets. South Africa reached 39/1 at stumps.
Day 2: Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers began dominating the Australian bowlers. South Africa reached 263/7, taking a 20-run lead.
Day 3 (De Villiers’ Epic Innings): AB de Villiers played a masterful unbeaten 126 off just 146 balls against a world-class bowling attack. His innings included 20 fours and 1 six, boasting a strike rate of 86.30. South Africa posted 382, securing a 119-run lead. On this day, Rabada was initially banned for two matches following a shoulder brush with Steve Smith, though the ban was later overturned.
Day 4: Australia crumbled for 175 due to Rabada’s dominance. South Africa won by 6 wickets, leveling the series 1-1.
3rd Test: Newlands, Cape Town (March 22–25, 2018) — ‘Sandpapergate’
- Day 1: Dean Elgar’s unbeaten 141 helped South Africa reach 266/8.
- Day 2: South Africa was all out for 311. Australia replied with 255. South Africa ended the day at 52/0 in their second innings.
- Day 3 (March 24, 2018 — The Ball-Tampering Day): Around 3:15 PM, Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera taking a piece of yellow sandpaper out of his pocket to scuff the ball. Realizing he was being watched, he quickly hid the sandpaper inside his underwear. With over 30 cameras and high-powered zoom lenses, the act was captured clearly. Bancroft initially tried to mislead the umpires by showing a black cloth used for cleaning sunglasses.
- Day 4: A mentally shattered Australian team was bowled out for a mere 107. South Africa won by 322 runs.
Final Verdict: Following the scandal, the Prime Minister of Australia personally called Cricket Australia to demand strict action. Consequently, Captain Steve Smith, Vice-captain David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft were immediately suspended and sent back to Australia.
4th Test: Wanderers, Johannesburg (March 30 – April 3, 2018)
- Day 1: Australia took the field under the leadership of Tim Paine. Aiden Markram played a destructive innings of 152.
- Day 2: South Africa posted a massive first-innings total of 488. Australia ended the day at 110/6.
- Day 3 & 4: South Africa declared their second innings at 344/6, setting a mammoth target of 612. Australia ended Day 4 at 88/3.
- Day 5: Vernon Philander’s devastating spell of 6/21 saw Australia bundled out for 119. South Africa won by 492 runs, clinching the series 3-1.
List of Punishments and Bans
- David Warner: Identified as the mastermind behind the plan. Banned for 1 year and handed a lifetime leadership ban.
- Steve Smith: Banned for 1 year and a further 1-year ban from leadership roles.
- Cameron Bancroft: Banned for 9 months. Note: They were also barred from the IPL and domestic cricket for one year.
Conclusion
The 2018 series was not just about South Africa’s victory; it was a watershed moment for the integrity of cricket. ‘Sandpapergate’ taught Australian cricket a hard lesson: upholding the spirit of the game is far more important than winning. Though the tearful press conferences of Smith and Warner touched fans’ hearts, the incident remains a permanent and stern landmark in cricketing history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why was the 2018 South Africa vs Australia Test series so controversial?
The series became controversial primarily due to the ‘Sandpapergate’ ball-tampering scandal in the third Test, where Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to alter the ball’s condition.
Who were the players found guilty in Sandpapergate?
Captain Steve Smith, Vice-captain David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft.
What were the punishments for ball-tampering?
Steve Smith: 1-year international ban.
David Warner: 1-year international ban and a lifetime ban from captaincy.
Cameron Bancroft: 9-month international ban.
What was the final result of the 2018 Test series?
South Africa defeated Australia 3–1 in the four-match series, dominating the final two Tests completely.
Why is this series considered so important in cricket history?
It demonstrated that no star player is above the law when it comes to the ethics and integrity of the game. The strict disciplinary actions set a global precedent for the future of cricket.
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