Ball-tampering scandal: Meet the former player who helped uncover it
Former Proteas fast bowler Fanie de Villiers states that he had informed the cameramen to keep an eye on the Australian fielders in the third test against South Africa. He felt that something wasn't right and suspected that Aussies might be altering the condition of the ball. As history has it, Bancroft was caught tampering the condition of the ball with a yellow object.
Fanie de Villiers: Premier swing bowler of the post-apartheid era
Fanie de Villiers made his Test debut at the age of 28 in 1993 and went on to play 18 Tests for South Africa. He bagged 85 wickets at an average of 24.27. He also played 83 ODIs and has 95 wickets to his name.
Fanie grew suspicious after Aussies got reverse swing so early
The retired South African speedster, who is currently a part of the commentary crew, couldn't believe that the Australians were extracting reverse swing on such a green pitch in the 26th over. Fanie de Villiers grew suspicious and asked the TV camera operators to see if they can find any evidence of ball tampering. He revealed this during a radio interview on Monday.
What made Fanie suspicious?
"If they could get reverse swing in the 26th, 27th, 28th over then they are doing something different from what everyone else does. We actually said to our cameramen, go out and have a look, boys. They're using something." Fanie de Villiers told a radio-station.
Smith suspend for third Test, Bancroft available
On Day 3 of the third Test, Bancroft was found tampering the ball with a yellow object and the Australians admitted to it later. Captain Smith said the leadership group was behind it. Smith has been suspended for the final Test to be held at the Wanderers in Johannesburg starting Friday. Bancroft is free to play but has been handed 3 demerit points.
Impossible to extract reverse swing so early on grass
"It's impossible for the ball to get altered like that on cricket wickets where we knew there was grass on, not a Pakistani wicket where there's cracks every centimetre...(on) a grass-covered wicket you have to do something else to alter the shape," de Villiers concluded.
