South African sports broadcaster SuperSport has taken a dig at Australia ahead of their first Test series in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, also known as Sandpapergate. Australia will face South Africa in a three-match series, with the opening Test scheduled at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, October 9, at 1 pm IST.

SuperSport posted a promo on X ahead of the three-Test series, saying its cameras “will be sharp”. The post included a camera emoji, bringing back memories of the incident at Newlands in Cape Town in 2018.

SuperSport's cameras caught Bancroft in 2018

SuperSport's reference goes back to March 24, 2018, when its cameras caught Australian batter Cameron Bancroft working on the ball with a small yellow object during a Test against South Africa at Newlands.

The footage showed Bancroft using the object on the ball before putting it down his trousers. The incident led to the ball-tampering scandal that came to be known as Sandpapergate.

The footage was shown on the big screen at the ground. Australia's then head coach Darren Lehmann sent a message to 12th man Peter Handscomb, while the incident quickly became a major talking point in cricket.

Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.

— SuperSportTV (@SuperSportTV)

SuperSport's cameras had also been asked to look out for anything unusual during the series after the umpires reportedly became suspicious about Australia's efforts to alter the ball.

The broadcaster's coverage included more than 30 cameras, with 18 operated by camera crews.

Several Australia players return with memories of 2018

Australia's current squad includes several players who were part of the team during the Newlands scandal.

Steve Smith, who was Australia's captain at the time, is now vice-captain under Pat Cummins. Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon also played at Newlands in 2018. Matthew Renshaw, who joined the squad as a replacement for the final Test of that series, is also back in the team. David Warner has retired, while Cameron Bancroft has not played a Test for more than six years.

The scandal has received more attention in the Australian media than in South Africa in recent weeks. However, the team could still face some reminders of the incident during the tour.

Australia return to Newlands for the third Test

South Africa enter the series as reigning World Test Championship winners after beating Australia in last year's final at Lord's. Australia, meanwhile, will look to collect points in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The second Test will be played in Gqeberha from October 18.

The third Test, scheduled to begin at Newlands on October 27, will bring Australia back to the venue where the 2018 scandal unfolded.

134814246

Czytaj dalej u źródła

What Haaland & Maresca said about Liverpool game after Man City guilty verdict

Enzo Maresca and Erling Haaland refused to be drawn into a debate over their guilty verdict in the Premier League’s financial misconduct case.

Visit sport-tr.bet for more information.

The pair insisted they were fully focused, instead, on Manchester City’s upcoming top-flight clash with Liverpool following the September international break.

Erling Haaland and Enzo Maresca keep quiet on Man City’s guilty verdict

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

In comments relayed on X (formerly Twitter) by Fabrizio Romano, the City duo put the focus on the upcoming clash between the two Premier League clubs.

However, head coach Maresca did publicly throw his support behind the Sky Blues, telling reporters: “We completely trust the club.”

Anyone associated with Man City should just keep quiet

(Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Everyone has a right to say how they feel about any matter, within reason. We’re not saying that Haaland and Co. simply shouldn’t be allowed to carry on with their jobs, which is ultimately to win football matches and put Manchester City in with the best chance of lifting silverware.

The problem is, of course, we’re now in a situation where City doing so will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of many a Premier League supporter. And, quite frankly, for many a fan in England.

Manchester City reserve the right to appeal, but as things currently stand, we’re all firmly aware that an independent commission has found the club guilty of 114 out of 115 charges of misconduct.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola proved there’s no soul left in Man City project after cheating judgemen

While we’re sure that Erling Haaland himself has no desire to provoke opposition fans with his comments, it’s difficult not to invite emotion into the equation when the Norway international wants to talk about a game of football that is ultimately inconsequential when stacked up against the littany of offences City have committed.

Again, as we’ve previously noted, we do feel there should be separation between fanbase and boots on the ground staff (playing or otherwise) and decision-makers and purse-string holders behind the scenes.

Still, the notion of City having a “good time” and enjoying themselves at Liverpool’s expense – following years of alleged cheating – seriously rankles.

No one should be blindly enjoying themselves after a guilty verdict brought into question the legitimacy of the last 17 years of Premier League football. Least of all Manchester City.

Czytaj dalej u źródła