5 controversies that rocked cricket in 2018

#1 Sandpaper gate

Bancroft and Smith in conversation with the umpires

Australia is known for playing hard cricket. The Kangaroos are known for their aggressive intent and their appetite for winning. Unfortunately, the other side of this win-at-all-cost was witnessed by the world this year.

With each team winning a match, the series was hung in balance when the two teams met at Newlands for the third Test. The Proteas had the upper hand after the first two days and Australia desperately needed wickets to get back in the match. That is when Cameron Bancroft was seen rubbing the ball with a small yellow object, which was later found to be sandpaper. It was later found out that the Australians were tampering the ball in order to help their bowlers get more swing.

This shocked the cricketing world and resulted in a major backlash from the fans all around the world. The Australians were accused of cheating and fingers were pointed at Australia's cricket culture and their general attitude towards the game. Cricket Australia eventually imposed a one-year ban on captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner and a nine-month ban on Cameron Bancroft.