Steve Smith haunted by Sandpapergate ahead of South Africa return

Australia batting star Steve Smith has revealed that the scars of the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal still linger, as he prepares to return to South Africa for his first Test series there since the controversy that dramatically changed his career.

Smith was Australia’s captain when the “Sandpapergate” scandal erupted during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018. He was sent home, banned from international cricket for 12 months and removed from the captaincy after admitting his involvement in a plan to alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper.

David Warner, who was regarded as the central figure in the scheme, also received a 12-month suspension and was stripped of leadership roles. Cameron Bancroft, who was caught attempting to tamper with the ball, was banned for nine months.

Eight years later, Smith says the experience remains difficult to revisit.

The 37-year-old recalled the intense media attention surrounding his departure from South Africa and his emotional press conference in Sydney after returning home.

“I’m not a big fan of cameras… I get anxious around cameras to be honest,” Smith told News Corp in an interview published Thursday.

He said the sound of camera flashes can still trigger memories of the episode, particularly the moments when he learned he would be suspended and was surrounded by media at Johannesburg airport.

“I still have little flashbacks here and there of it,” Smith said.

Despite the painful memories, Smith rebuilt his career and returned to the Australian team after serving his suspension. He marked his comeback with a century against England and has since established himself among the most prolific Test batsmen of his generation.

Smith has accumulated 10,920 Test runs at an average of 56, underlining the scale of his revival following one of the most difficult periods of his career.

“I’ve tried to kind of erase a lot of 2018 and what happened,” he said, adding that he had attempted to block much of the series from his memory.

Australia will begin their upcoming Test series against South Africa in Durban on October 9 before travelling to Gqeberha and Cape Town.

Smith has returned to South Africa for white-ball cricket since the scandal but has not played a Test there. He expects a hostile reception from sections of the home crowd but says he is accustomed to pressure after facing intense criticism during several Ashes tours of England.

“I use it as motivation to try and go out and do well and try and take a positive from it,” Smith said.

His return to Cape Town, the scene of the 2018 controversy, is likely to add another emotional chapter to a career that has already witnessed one of cricket’s most dramatic comebacks.