Sandpaper Gate | David Warner apologises for his involvement in ball-tampering saga

The third Test between South Africa and Australia will be remembered for all the wrong reasons as on the third day of the Test match, Cameron Bancroft was captured on the camera while changing the condition of the ball with the help of the yellow tape and granules. In the press conference, Steve Smith and Bancroft accepted their role and stated that the move was decided in the dressing room and was consequently, fined by the ICC. However, after the investigation that was done by Cricket Australia, Smith and David Warner were handed a one-year ban for bringing disrepute to the game. While moving back to Sydney, Warner wrote in a statement on Twitter where he apologized to his fans and want some time to overcome the incident.

"To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way back to Sydney. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it. I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans.

"It's a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy. I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers. You will hear from me in a few days," said Warner on Twitter.

Now, the duo will not be a part of any international and the domestic cricket activities for a year and was although cleared by the CA for the IPL, the BCCI decided not to allow them in this year’s IPL and also asked Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad to find replacements for them.

Now, if that was not enough, the duo’s misery have been piled on more in the aftermath of the controversy, as Cricket Australia’s naming rights sponsor Magellan have ended their ties with the board and Warner's personal sponsor LG has also decided to bring curtains down to the association with the star opener. A sportswear company, Asics, who provides sports apparels to Warner and Bancroft, has also decided to terminate the contract with the duo. Meanwhile, former skipper Smith has also been removed as the sporting ambassador of the Commonwealth Bank and Sanitarium.