Steve Smith Lands in Canada for First Taste of Cricket Since 'Sandpaper Gate'

Cricketnext Staff | Updated: June 26, 2018, 11:13 AM IST

Steve Smith (GT20Canada/Twitter)

Former Australia captain Steve Smith is back on the road and is all set to play in the Global T20 Canada League. With the league starting on June 28, Smith arrived in Canada on Tuesday. Having missed the IPL due to the 12-month ban handed by Cricket Australia after the Ball tampering scandal in South Africa, this will be Smith’s first tryst with cricket in close to three months.

@stevesmith49 is here and all smiles. #6sInThe6ix #GT20Canada @canadiancricketpic.twitter.com/H8udJTe0nm

— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) June 26, 2018

The ball-tampering scandal during the third Test between South Africa and Australia in Johannesburg saw Cricket Australia sending skipper Smith, deputy David Warner and opener Cameron Bancroft home. While Smith and Warner were handed 12-month bans, Bancroft got a 9-month ban.

Bancroft had used a strip of yellow sticky tape that he had covered with dirt granules to illegally scratch the rough side of the ball in an attempt to generate more swing for Australia's bowlers. It was later found that the yellow sticky tape was sandpaper.

Bancroft was filmed not only rubbing the ball with the sandpaper strip, but also concealing the evidence down the front of his trousers. Smith had taken responsibility for the act and had said that it was a decision taken by the ‘leadership group’.

Addressing the media after returning to Australia, Smith broke down and said: "I take full responsibility, I made a serious error of judgement and I understand the consequences. It was a failure of leadership. I will do everything to make up for my mistake. If any good can come for this... it can be a lesson for others. I hope I can be a force for change.

“I know I will regret this for the rest of my life. I am absolutely gutted. Cricket is my life and hope it can be again. I'm sorry. I'm absolutely devastated."