Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has revealed that the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, known as Sandpaper Gate, ultimately benefited Steve Smith as a player.
Finch made the comments in an interview published on October 28, 2026, reflecting on the aftermath of the incident that led to Smith's 12-month ban from international cricket.
According to Finch, the adversity Smith faced during his suspension and subsequent return strengthened his mental resilience and approach to the game.
Smith, who was Australia's captain at the time of the scandal in South Africa, has since returned to become one of the world's leading batsmen across all formats.
