New Delhi, September 17 (Daily Kiran) : The Australian is set to tour South Africa for a Test series, marking their first visit since 2018. Ahead of this significant series, former captain Steve Smith has opened up about the lingering memories of the ball-tampering scandal that marred their last tour.
Despite these reflections, Smith is not worried about the reception he will receive in South Africa.
In March 2018, during a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town, Smith was one of the key figures in the controversy surrounding the use of sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball. Following his admission of involvement, he was removed from his captaincy, sent home, and banned from cricket for a year. Alongside him, former opener David Warner also faced a one-year suspension, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
Now, nearly eight years later, Smith is preparing for a three-match Test series that kicks off on October 9 in Durban. He acknowledged the difficulty of completely forgetting the events surrounding his suspension, noting that they received intense media scrutiny after leaving South Africa.
In an interview with News Corp, Smith expressed his discomfort with the media spotlight, stating, “I’m not a big fan of cameras. Honestly, I feel anxious around them. It was a tough experience in my life, and the sound of camera flashes often brings back memories of that time.”
He recounted the days following his suspension, particularly the chaos he faced at Johannesburg airport and the press conference that followed. “I still get little flashbacks here and there about that time,” he added.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the scandal, Smith admitted that the initial days were especially challenging. However, he emphasized the importance of that experience in his life. “It was definitely a difficult time, especially in the days following. My mental state was not great. I don’t want to be in that situation again, but I have certainly learned from it and moved on in my life.”