Sandpaper Gate | Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft admit to organized 'cheating' and ball-tampering

The Australian skipper and Bancroft, who was involved in the act, decided to attend a joint press conference after the video of Bancroft tampering the ball was captured by the television cameras and replayed in detail on the big screen at the ground. While the footage confirmed what had transpired during the second session, the duo confirmed that the latter had been charged by the match officials.

After the third day's play at Newlands, Bancroft stated that he had used yellow sticky tape to pick up granules from the pitch and rub them on the ball so as to change its conditions and Smith admitted that the idea was discussed among the "leadership group" including himself.

"I saw an opportunity to use some tape, get some granules from the rough patches on the wicket and try to change the ball condition. It didn't work; the umpires didn't change the ball. But once I was sighted on the screens and having done that, that resulted in me shoving it down my trousers," Bancroft said, reported Cricbuzz.

Admitting that it was a properly laid out plan, Smith said, "The leadership group knew about it. We spoke about it at lunch. I'm not proud of what's happened. It's not within the spirit of the game. My integrity, the team's integrity, the leadership group's integrity has come into question and rightfully so. It's certainly not on and it won't happen again, I can promise you that, under my leadership."

Now, Bancroft will face a level two charge in the ICC's code of conduct, which pertains to a fine of 50 to 100% of a player’s match fee and a sanction of either three or four demerit points. If that happens, then the opener may miss the fourth Test at the Wanderers. However, Smith is also likely to face a charge for his involvement in bringing the game into disrepute and other players among Australia's senior leadership group could also be pulled in. Smith admitted that it was a disgraceful act on their part and hoped that they would learn something from it.

"Hopefully we'll learn something from it. I'm embarrassed. I know the boys in the sheds are embarrassed as well. I feel for 'Cam' as well. It's not what we want to see in the game. It's not what the Australian cricket teams about. Being the leader of the team I'm incredibly sorry for, I guess, trying to bring the game into disrepute the way that we did today."

While Smith expressed his regret on the fact, Bancroft, the most junior member of the Australian side, admitted that he would have to live with the consequences.

"I don't think in this particular case it was that way," said Bancroft. "I was in the vicinity of the area when the leadership group were discussing it. I'll be honest with you, I was obviously nervous about it because with hundreds of cameras around that's always the risk, isn't it? I sit before you today and I'm not proud of what's happened today."