March 24, 2018, is undoubtedly one of the darkest days in cricket history. On this day five years ago, then Australian skipper Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft, and David Warner were found to be involved in ‘sandpapergate’. The incident is still talked about to this day, when the three players attempted to tamper with the ball during a Test match against South Africa.

When Australia toured South Africa back in 2018, both teams had won a Test each and the hosts looked to establish their dominance as the third match commenced. Batting first, Dean Elgar’s unbeaten 141 and AB de Villiers’ knock of 64 runs propelled the Proteas to a score of 311 runs.

It was Day 3 of the third Test when things went south for the visitors. South Africa came in to bat in the second innings after Australia only managed to score 255 in response to the hosts’ first innings. Australia looked for an improved performance with the ball, however, Cameron Bancroft was seen rubbing the ball with what appeared to be something yellow.

However, after being caught by the cameras, The youngster tried to hide it; he even told the on-field umpires that it was a cloth with which he was rubbing the ball. Later that day, Steve Smith and David Warner admitted to using yellow tape, which they were using to alter the ball. Furthermore, in the investigation that followed, it was found that it was sandpaper that was used to alter the condition of the ball.

After all the players involved in the scandal were sanctioned with heavy penalties, Smith and Warner were forced to step down as captain and vice-captain of Australia. Following that, they were banned from competing in the Indian Premier League that year as well.

Both Warner and Smith faced 12-month bans that was imposed on them by Cricket Australia, and Bancroft was slapped with a nine-month ban. After serving the period of their penalties, all three players returned to the squad. However, their careers will forever be associated with one of the darkest moments in cricket history.