Former Australia head coach Justin Langer has lashed out at the South African camp over their severe treatment of Steve Smith and David Warner during the infamous Sandpapergate controversy in 2018. Speaking during the ongoing second Test between Australia and South Africa in Gqeberha, Langer reopened the bitter debate surrounding the incident from Australia’s previous tour of the country.
Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft admitted to ball tampering during the third Test in Johannesburg back in 2018, which led to heavy international suspensions. Langer claimed that the punished trio took the blame not only for the Australian side but effectively for the entire international cricketing fraternity, noting a distinct shift in match dynamics ever since.
- Justin Langer claimed that the ball has not reverse swung in international cricket anywhere in the world since the 2018 scandal.
- The former coach criticized a documentary produced by South African creators that targeted Smith and Warner following the incident.
- Langer described the hostile reception faced by Smith and Warner upon returning for the World Cup in England as some of the worst adult human behavior he has ever witnessed.
- He also highlighted past comments from former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who had defended the Australian team at the time by pointing out widespread hypocrisy in the sport.
Revisiting the 2018 Fallout
Langer expressed deep frustration regarding a documentary produced in South Africa roughly a year into his tenure as Australia head coach, stating that viewing it made him feel sick due to its targeted focus on key players. He recalled witnessing the intense hostility directed at Smith and Warner when they rejoined the national squad in England for the World Cup, characterizing the fan abuse and media treatment as entirely unacceptable.
Broader Impact on Fast Bowling
Beyond the personal toll on the players involved, Langer argued that the strict scrutiny following the scandal permanently altered the art of fast bowling. According to the former mentor, genuine reverse swing has completely vanished from the international game, maintaining that neither side in the current Test series has been able to generate the traditional swing seen in previous eras.
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