During Australia's World Cup fixture against India, leg-spinner Adam Zampa was seen putting his hands inside his pocket and then rubbing the ball at The Oval in London, thus raising a few eyebrows and leaving people speculating about ball-tampering.
On Sunday, Zampa went wicketless and conceded 50 runs from his six overs in a match that Australia lost by 36 runs against India.
However, apart from his lacklustre performance, what caught the eyes of many were the pictures and videos floating on social media which showed Zampa rubbing the ball each time after he put his hands inside his pocket. In the media clippings, he was also seen taking something out of his pocket before bowling.
Twitter was soon abuzz with several reactions pouring in.
HAS @ICC started inquiry about Adam Zampa footage for possible use of Sand paper or other violation of code of conduct? @CricketAus @BCCI #Zampa
— Amit Pujara (@pujaraamit) June 10, 2019
After #Kohli asks Indian fans to applaud #SteveSmith, I heard a lot of people saying that it's time for the world to forgive #Smith. But if they keep repeating same mistake why would people forgive him?
— Rahul Sawant (@RudeDudeRahul) June 10, 2019
HINT : #Zampa #Sandpapergate #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS #AdamZampa #Sandpaper
When these guys will learn the etiquette of game. The spirit of cricket is getting hammered not once but many times. I hope this was not suspicious but still @ICC & @BCCI should intervene #Zampa & @AaronFinch5 pic.twitter.com/pMHMQz3FCJ
— Anzal Khan (@BeingAnzalKhan) June 9, 2019
Remember Adam Zampa keeps warmer in his pockets, (generally bowlers, carry a warmer to keep their hands warm in cold weather in countries like England & Australia. #AdamZampa #zampa
— Akber Ali اکبرعلی (@AkberAJaffri) June 9, 2019
@ICC @BCCI
— Vivek Sharma (@viv3k_sharma) June 10, 2019
What was Adam Zampa doing in yesterday match?#AdamZampa pic.twitter.com/Adq6Ma3T7l
After the match, however, skipper Aaron Finch rubbished the ball-tampering allegations and said that the leggie had hand warmers in his pockets, which he carries in every game.
"I haven't seen the photos, but I know that he has hand warmers in his pocket. He has them every single game he plays. I honestly haven't seen them, so I can't comment too much on it. But I know for a fact that he has hand warmers every game," Finch told the reporters at the post-match press conference.
The media clippings immediately brought back memories of the Newlands Test between South Africa and Australia last year when Cameron Bancroft was caught rubbing sandpaper on the ball on the big screen at the ground. Steve Smith and David Warner were handed one-year bans by Cricket Australia while Bancroft was handed a nine-month ban by the cricket body.