2018 Sandpaper Gate Timeline (Source: AFP & AP)
The 2018 Sandpaper Gate scandal remains one of the most controversial episodes in Australian cricket history.
The incident took place during Australia's Test tour of South Africa, when Cameron Bancroft was caught on television cameras attempting to alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper during the third Test in Cape Town.
The controversy returned to the headlines in November 2026 following revelations in former Australian opener Usman Khawaja's autobiography, Sabr: Finding My Way in Cricket and Life.
Khawaja claimed that knowledge of the ball-tampering plan extended beyond the three players who were officially sanctioned.
However, Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins has strongly rejected those allegations. He also disputed the suggestion that the entire dressing room knew about the incident.
Here is a timeline of the major events surrounding the 2018 Sandpaper Gate scandal and its revival in 2026.
February 16, 2018 – Australia Arrive In South Africa
Australia arrived in South Africa after a successful home summer, having regained the Ashes with a 4-0 series victory over England. The team also won the T20I tri-series involving New Zealand and England, entering the tour with strong momentum.
March 2, 2018 – Test Series Begins In Durban
The four-match Test series between South Africa and Australia began in Durban. The opening Test marked the start of a fiercely contested tour, with tensions between the two sides soon escalating both on and off the field.
March 5, 2018 – Warner And De Kock Stairwell Altercation
Tensions escalated after footage emerged of Australia's vice-captain David Warner involved in a heated exchange with South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock on a staircase near the dressing rooms.
The confrontation followed an earlier on-field incident involving Warner and Nathan Lyon celebrating AB de Villiers' run-out.
March 7, 2018 – Warner And De Kock Face ICC Sanctions
David Warner was fined 75 per cent of his match fee and received three demerit points for his confrontation with de Kock. The South African wicketkeeper was also fined and handed one demerit point for his part in the incident.
March 8, 2018 – Warner Speaks About The Altercation
Warner publicly addressed the confrontation, claiming de Kock had made “a vile and disgusting” comment about his wife, Candice. He also said he would handle similar situations differently in the future.
March 10, 2018 – Second Test Begins In Port Elizabeth
The second Test started in Port Elizabeth, with South Africa taking control through Kagiso Rabada's bowling. Rabada also attracted attention after appearing to bump into Australian captain Steve Smith following his dismissal. The incident led to an ICC charge and a potential suspension from the remaining Tests.
March 13, 2018 – Rabada Receives A Two-Test Ban
South Africa won the second Test by six wickets, but the result was overshadowed by Rabada's disciplinary hearing.
March 20, 2018 – Rabada's Ban Overturned On Appeal
Rabada successfully appealed against his suspension, with the charge of inappropriate and deliberate physical contact downgraded. The decision cleared him to play in the third Test against Australia in Cape Town.
March 23, 2018 – Third Test Begins In Cape Town
The third Test between Australia and South Africa began at Newlands. Australia entered the match with the series finely poised, but the contest would soon be remembered for an incident that overshadowed the cricket.
March 24, 2018 – Cameron Bancroft Caught Tampering With The Ball
On the third day of the Cape Town Test, television cameras caught Australian opener Cameron Bancroft appearing to rub the ball with a yellow object before hiding it in his trousers. He was subsequently questioned by the umpires.
At the end of the day's play, Bancroft admitted attempting to alter the ball's condition, while captain Steve Smith acknowledged that the team's leadership group had discussed the plan.
Smith also admitted he knew about it but insisted he would not resign as captain. The incident became widely known as ‘Sandpapergate’.
March 25, 2018 – Steve Smith Steps Down As Captain
Following the Sandpapergate controversy, Smith stepped down as Australia's captain for the remainder of the third Test. David Warner also relinquished the vice-captaincy, while Tim Paine was appointed as the team's temporary captain.
The International Cricket Council also handed Smith a one-match suspension, ruling that he had to take responsibility for the actions of the players under his leadership.
March 27, 2018 – Smith, Warner And Bancroft Sent Home
Cricket Australia announced that Smith, Warner and Bancroft would be sent home from South Africa following its preliminary investigation.
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland confirmed that the trio were the only members of the touring squad found to have prior knowledge of the ball-tampering plan. Tim Paine was named captain for the remainder of the tour.
March 28, 2018 – Cricket Australia Announces Player Bans
Cricket Australia confirmed its sanctions against the three players involved in the scandal. Smith and Warner received 12-month bans from international and domestic cricket, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months.
The sanctions also included community service requirements. Warner was additionally ruled out of consideration for future senior leadership roles in Australian cricket.
March 29, 2018 – Players Apologise And Darren Lehmann Resigns
Smith, Warner and Bancroft addressed the media after returning to Australia, expressing remorse for their roles in the incident. Smith accepted responsibility as captain, while Bancroft and Warner also apologised.
On the same day, head coach Darren Lehmann announced that he would step down after the fourth Test against South Africa. Although Cricket Australia's investigation had cleared him of prior knowledge of the plan, Lehmann said he believed it was the right time for Australian cricket to move forward.
May 18, 2021 – Australian Bowlers Deny Prior Knowledge
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon issued a joint statement reiterating that they had no prior knowledge of a foreign substance being taken onto the field to alter the ball.
They said they only became aware of it when the television footage was shown on the big screen at Newlands.
November 7, 2026 – Khawaja's Claims Bring The Scandal Back Into Focus
Former Australian opener Usman Khawaja reignited the debate through revelations in his autobiography, Sabr: Finding My Way in Cricket and Life. He claimed that the use of sandpaper had been discussed and experimented with during the second Test in Port Elizabeth, before Bancroft was caught during the Cape Town Test.
Khawaja also suggested that knowledge of the practice extended beyond the three players who received official sanctions. His account contradicted the findings of Cricket Australia's 2018 investigation.
November 10, 2026 – Cricket Australia Rules Out A Fresh Investigation
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg ruled out reopening the Sandpapergate investigation, saying there was no compelling reason to launch another probe.
He acknowledged that Khawaja's account contained details that contradicted the versions provided by other members of the 2018 team.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc reiterated that the Australian bowling group had no prior knowledge of the ball-tampering plan.
November 13, 2026 – Pat Cummins Rejects Khawaja's Allegations
Australia's Test captain Pat Cummins publicly responded to Khawaja's claims, strongly denying that the entire team knew sandpaper was being used on the ball.
Cummins said he had consistently maintained his lack of knowledge and described the suggestion that he helped devise the plan as “complete and utter nonsense”.
He also questioned Khawaja's account of the events, arguing that conversations about taking sandpaper onto the field did not mean every player in the dressing room knew what was happening.
Cummins said he was shocked by the revelations and wanted the issue to be put behind Australian cricket.
