Eight years after sandpaper became a controversial symbol during a difficult time for Australian cricket, South Africa found subtle ways to remind Steve Smith and his teammates of the scandal from their 2018 tour. A local supermarket pulled sandpaper from its shelves, and broadcasters warned they would closely monitor the game. However, as Smith stepped up to bat in Durban, the expected hostility from the crowd was notably absent.
Instead, the South African fast bowlers created challenges for Australia on the first day of the opening Test, leaving them struggling at 124 for six before a late rally brought them to 187 for six before play was stopped due to bad light.
Before this Test series, which is Australia’s first in South Africa since the ball-tampering incident, a supermarket chain, Pick n Pay, announced they would not sell sandpaper until the end of October. The broadcaster SuperSport also made a pointed remark on social media, saying, “Our cameras will be sharp.”
These references were hard to miss. Back in 2018, cameras captured Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper on the ball during the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town, implicating Smith and then-vice-captain David Warner in a major scandal that led to serious suspensions and a reevaluation of the culture within Australian cricket.
Smith returned to South Africa for the first time since that incident, but the reception was much calmer than many expected. Graham Hudson, a 28-year-old spectator and son of former South African cricketer Andrew Hudson, expressed his view that the past should not overshadow the players involved.
“It was a long time ago, and the punishment has been served. We want to see good cricket from the best players,” he told foxsports.com.au.
As Smith walked to the crease, he received little in the way of jeering from the crowd. He quickly made an impact, hitting two sixes off spinner Keshav Maharaj before being dismissed for 25, caught out by Marco Jansen.
The South African bowlers, led by Wiaan Mulder, didn’t let Australia find their rhythm. Mulder bowled Marnus Labuschagne out for 37 right before lunch, ending a 60-run partnership with Smith.
After a break, Jansen dismissed Smith, and Anrich Nortje made a strong re-entry to first-class cricket after nearly four years. Nortje took two wickets in three balls post-tea, dismissing Alex Carey and Beau Webster, leaving Australia at a precarious 124 for six.
Before all this, Travis Head was caught behind for just nine runs, and Nic Maddinson, who was returning to Test cricket after treatment for testicular cancer, fell for a duck.
Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, and Matt Renshaw managed to hold off South Africa for a while, putting together an unbeaten 63-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Renshaw ended the day with 46 runs, just short of a half-century, while Cummins finished with 33 not out.
However, the match was eventually called off due to fading light, even though there was still an hour of play remaining. While the pre-match discussions centered on the infamous sandpaper incident, it was South Africa’s pace attack that took center stage on the field.
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