Australia Returns To South Africa For First Test Since Scandal

Published 2d ago · Latest report 3h ago

Covered in 2 countries

AI summary42s readNeutral

Australia plays its first Test series in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.

Australia is touring South Africa for a Test series for the first time since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering controversy. The long-awaited red-ball return was delayed for years due to pandemic-era cancellations, allowing the legacy of the sandpaper incident to linger. World Test Championship holders South Africa now host the visitors as both teams prepare for the upcoming matches.

The 2018 Test series in South Africa was overshadowed by Cameron Bancroft being caught altering the match ball with sandpaper.
A planned 2021 Test tour was cancelled due to the pandemic, extending the wait for a red-ball rematch to eight years.
South Africa currently holds the World Test Championship title heading into the series.

By the numbers

2,018 yrsTest series year

Timeline

Mar 2018Australia's Test team was engulfed in a ball-tampering scandal during a match in South Africa.
Oct 7Australia returned to South Africa to face the hosts in a Test series for the first time since the incident.

Why it matters

The 2018 ball-tampering scandal remains one of the most infamous chapters in modern cricket history, leading to major suspensions and cultural soul-searching for the Australian national team.