Steve Smith with Cameron Bancroft during 2018 South Africa series. PC- AFPEven the greatest of the game make mistakes and go through bad phases. Steve Smith, regarded as one of the best batters of his time, made a horrendous mistake during Australia's last Test tour of South Africa when he was involved in the infamous Sandpaper Gate.In 2018, the former Australian Test captain, along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, was caught red-handed tampering with the ball with yellow sandpaper during the third Test in Cape Town.As the umpires caught the mischief, with the broadcasters' help, the Cricket Australia (CA) not only dropped the three batters but also banned them for a given period. Steve Smith opens on traumatic period after 2018 sandpaper gateAs the Australian Test team returns to South Africa for the first time since the 2018 Sandpaper Gate, Steve Smith, the mastermind behind the mischief, has opened up about the scrutiny he faced after the infamous incident. Calling it a traumatic experience, Smith elaborated on the whole episode, including how the former CEO of the Australian board, James Sutherland, explained the one-year ban to him and how he attended the press conference back home, when he broke down in front of the press. "I’m not a big fan of cameras ... I get anxious around cameras to be honest,” Steve Smith told Code Sports. Also Read: Steve Smith's Record In The Ashes As Ashes 2027 Falls In Jeopardy“That was a traumatic experience in my life and when I hear the flash of a camera it makes me revisit that in a way.“The 24-48 hours of being told by James Sutherland (former CA CEO) that I was getting banned for a year. That and going through the airport in Johannesburg getting absolutely mobbed, and then flying back and doing that press conference," Smith added. “I still have little flashbacks here and there of it.”The rise of a phoenix: Chronicles of Steve Smith after banAfter a one-year ban, Steve Smith returned to international cricket as if he'd never left. Although his first series for Australia after the ban was the 2019 World Cup, the Ashes 2019/20 in England will be remembered for the famous return of Steven Peter Devereux Smith. Not only did he return with a bang, but the gutsy batter outbatted all the demons in his head, racking up 774 runs in seven innings at an incredible average of 110.57. Amidst all the boos from the crowd and sledging from the English cricketers, he stood determined and helped Australia retain the Ashes. Moreover, Smith held firm despite the pressure, even after getting hit on the head by a Jofra Archer bouncer. Since his return, Smith has slammed 4721 runs in 61 Tests at 52.07, scoring 14 hundreds. Only England’s Joe Root has scored more runs and centuries than the Australian great since his return. Warner, Bancroft faltered; gritty Steve Smith shone like star despite hardshipsAlthough Steve Smith showcased great mental toughness and hunger to play at the highest level, his partners in crime, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, couldn't do the same.Warner played 38 Tests, 55 ODIs, and 40 T20Is, racking up 6447 runs and helping Australia clinch three more ICC titles, but he was a shadow of his prime in the latter half of his international career before he retired in early 2024. Meanwhile, Bancroft has played only two Tests since the 2018 sandpaper gate. Also Read: Ajit Agarkar's Replacement As Chief Selector: BCCI Shortlists 2 Candidates
