Former South Africa:<\/b> Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has recalled how Steve Smith\u2019s handling of the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering controversy reminded him of his own experience two years earlier, prompting him to reach out to his Australian counterpart with a message of support during one of the most difficult periods of his career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Du Plessis said he empathised with Smith after the latter accepted responsibility for the incident during the Test series against South Africa, even as the controversy triggered widespread criticism.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cSteve came out at the end of the day (in Cape Town in 2018) saying: \u2018I take responsibility.\u2019 And we were like: \u2018Why are you taking responsibility? You did nothing wrong,\u2019\u201d du Plessis recalled speaking to Cricinfo.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smith was subsequently banned for one Test by the ICC, while Cricket Australia imposed a 12-month suspension on him and David Warner, with Cameron Bancroft receiving a nine-month ban. The scandal erupted after Bancroft was caught attempting to alter the ball\u2019s condition using sandpaper during the Cape Town Test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For du Plessis, the episode brought back memories of the controversy he faced in Hobart in 2016, when he was found guilty of changing the ball\u2019s condition using saliva containing residue from a sweet. He said the backlash had escalated beyond what the South African team initially anticipated, making Smith\u2019s public support particularly meaningful.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAt the time, in our dressing room, honestly, we thought nothing has happened badly,\u201d du Plessis said. \u201cBut cameras [were] everywhere. And it just got built up into this thing now. All of a sudden, I was in real trouble. It was going around the world, people saying, \u2018Cheating.\u2019 That weighs heavy on you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Du Plessis revealed that he contacted Smith after the Cape Town incident, recognising the pressure his former rival was facing. He admitted, however, that he had underestimated how long the consequences would follow the Australian.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI remember sending a message and saying: \u2018Listen, I\u2019m so sorry you are going through this. Just be strong. It\u2019s going to be a hell for a week or so and then it will probably blow over.\u2019 Never knowing that it was going to be a year for him to go through. But just saying\u2026 we\u2019re behind you. We understand you did nothing wrong. So if you need anything from us, we\u2019re here,\u201d the former Proteas skipper said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former South African skipper also remembered Smith defending him publicly during the 2016 controversy, despite Australia trailing 0-2 in the Test series after the Adelaide match. Du Plessis said Smith could easily have capitalised on the situation but instead chose to speak in his defence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe was asked: What are your thoughts on Faf du Plessis and Mintgate, and it\u2019s terrible, he\u2019s cheating. And he\u2019s like, no, he\u2019s not. He\u2019s just shining the ball. I\u2019ve been in many teams where we shine the ball, we use different sweets,\u201d du Plessis stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Recalling the reaction within the South African dressing room, du Plessis said Smith\u2019s intervention earned him considerable respect from the team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe was asked: What are your thoughts on Faf du Plessis and Mintgate, and it\u2019s terrible, he\u2019s cheating. And he\u2019s like, no, he\u2019s not. He\u2019s just shining the ball. I\u2019ve been in many teams where we shine the ball, we use different sweets,\u201d du Plessis stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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