Australia's cricket team continues to grapple with the legacy of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, known as sandpapergate. The affair, which involved senior players tampering with the ball during a Test match in South Africa, led to lengthy bans and a cultural review of the sport in Australia.
Since taking over the Test captaincy in 2021, Pat Cummins has led the side in 43 matches. His tenure has been marked by efforts to rebuild the team's reputation, but the scandal remains a reference point in discussions about Australian cricket's integrity.
An analysis published on November 10, 2026, examines how the episode still influences perceptions of the national team, both domestically and internationally.
