The sandpaper fallout
Australian cricket's ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March could hardly have come at a worst time because the next time they would step onto the field would be in their arch-nemesis's territory in England.
Australian youngster Cameron Bancroft was caught roughing up the ball during the third Test against South Africa in March with a sandpaper, and it was that implement that came back to haunt them during the first ODI against England at The Oval on Wednesday.
According to cricket.co.au, an online investment broker attempted an ambush marketing tactic, handing out cards to patrons with the number 4 printed on a sandpaper-yellow background to try and kick-start the banter.
That was quickly squashed by local stewards who confiscated the cards. But several still made it to the terraces and England fans were only too happy to oblige, holding them up in the second innings as the Australian fielders patrolled the outfield turf.
Former coach Darren Lehmann took umbrage on Twitter at the use of sandpaper to try and bait the Australians.
The sandpaper-themed 4 and 6 cards were more 'commonly spotted in trash cans and strewn on the floor than being waved about among the 24,000 strong Oval crowd, who know their cricket well enough to appreciate none of Australia's ODI squad had anything to do with events in Cape Town', the Australian website said.
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