{
  "id": 7984076,
  "title": "Smith still haunted by 'Sandpapergate' as he prepares for South Africa Tests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/smith-still-haunted-by-sandpapergate-as-he-prepares-for-south-africa",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T08:26:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40439944/smith-still-haunted-by-sandpapergate-as-he-prepares-for-south-africa-tests"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Steve Smith is still haunted by the \"Sandpapergate\" ball-tampering scandal from 2018 as he gears up for South Africa's upcoming Test series. Former Australia captain Smith, who was banned for a year and dismissed as captain after the controversy, admits he suffers flashbacks to a traumatic period of his life. He recalls the anxiety of leaving Johannesburg airport and a harrowing press conference in Sydney when he broke down in tears. Despite the ordeal, Smith has bounced back strongly, scoring 10,920 Test runs at an average of 56. He is bracing for hostile crowds in South Africa but remains unfazed, having faced similar abuse during Ashes tours to England since 2018.",
  "summary": "SYDNEY: Steve Smith says he is still traumatised by the infamous “Sandpapergate” ball-tampering scandal in 2018, but the former Australia skipper is undaunted about returning to South Africa for his first Test series since. The prolific batsman was sent home in disgrace, banned for a year and sacked as captain after conspiring to alter the ball using sandpaper during the third Test in Cape Town…",
  "key_points": [
    "Steve Smith haunted by 2018 Sandpapergate scandal",
    "Former captain banned for a year, dismissed from leadership",
    "Scoring 10,920 Test runs at 56 average, preparing for South Africa series"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Traumatised Smith says he was 'thrown to wolves' over 'sandpapergate'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/traumatised-smith-says-he-was-thrown-to-wolves-over-sandpapergate-8004628",
        "published": "2026-09-17T09:31:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Traumatised Smith says he was 'thrown to wolves' over 'sandpapergate'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/traumatised-smith-says-he-was-thrown-to-wolves-over-sandpapergate",
        "published": "2026-09-17T09:33:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}