Steve Smith haunted by flashbacks as Australia returns to South Africa
Steve Smith says sandpapergate flashbacks still haunt him when he sees camera flashes.
The Australian batter disclosed this week that he remains affected by the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper on the ball during that tour.
Smith was stripped of the captaincy and banned for a year. David Warner was also banned for a year; Bancroft for nine months.
Steve Smith said he still experiences flashbacks and feels anxious around camera flashes because of the trauma. Smith rebuilt his cricket career and returned to international cricket in 2019.
Australia plays its first Test series in South Africa since the scandal begins on October 9.
- 37 years old
- Smith's age
- One year
- Smith's ban length
- Nine months
- Bancroft's ban length
- 2019
- Return to team
Why it mattersIt shows the lasting effect of public scandal on an athlete's mental health, even years later.
AustraliaFor Australian cricket fans, it shows Smith's mental strength in returning to the sport and offers insight into how the scandal shaped him as he prepares for a high-stakes tour.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 7 d ago
