Shades of sandpaper scandal as South Africa caught in live TV sting
TV broadcasters in South Africa are back in the spotlight after the Proteas were caught in an embarrassing moment against Sri Lanka.
During the opening day’s play in the first Test, TV viewers were shown the private plans the South African bowlers had drawn up in an attempt to dismiss their opponents.
Cameramen broadcast all the South African bowlers’ plans, which appeared to be on posters on the walls of their dressing room.
They included things like ‘short-pitched deliveries, doesn’t attack, ducks under all the time.’
The embarrassing moment immediately had many social media users comparing it to the role TV cameramen played in exposing Australia’s ball-tampering scandal last March.
As was revealed in the aftermath of the scandal, broadcasters cottoned on to Cameron Bancroft’s use of sandpaper and focused their cameramen on him until he revealed himself.
SuperSport’s Head of Production Alvin Naicker said he had seven dedicated cameras following the ball during play – leading to Bancroft being caught.
“We have a responsibility to entertain, but just like journalists we have a moral obligation to provide unbiased editorial,” he told Reuters.
“Very smartly our cameraman focused on the coaching staff and we saw the coach (Darren Lehmann) get on the walkie-talkie to the player down on the field (Peter Handscomb), who ran on to speak with Bancroft. It was then he panicked.”
But recent reports about SuperSport’s relationship with Cricket South Africa could explain why they decided to broadcast the bowling plans.
Cricket South Africa’s recent decision to secure a new deal with a rival broadcaster for its domestic Twenty20 competition has reportedly angered Super Sport.
Sri Lanka on top despite de Kock knock
Quinton de Kock’s stubborn resistance provided some consolation for South Africa but Sri Lanka had the better of the opening day.
The hosts were all out for 235 after being put into bat in Durban, where de Kock’s eye-catching 80 salvaged something approaching respectability after a poor start.
Vishwa Fernando was in fine form as he took 4-62, while Kasun Rajitha (3-68) provided excellent support to help Sri Lanka establish a solid platform for success.
They had reached 49-1 in reply when bad light intervened, with captain Dimuth Karunaratne (28 not out) and Oshada Fernando (17no) steadily building a partnership after Lahiru Thirimanne had departed for a 15-ball duck.
with agencies