AFP's Breaking News: ball tampering scandal

Begin the story

At the third test match between South Africa and Australia, Australian fielder Cameron Bancroft is seen illegally tampering with the ball in an attempt to change its surface and alter its trajectory, thus making it more difficult for the batsman to play.

The scene

The action

South Africa bowler Kagiso Rabada delivers the ball during day one of the second Sunfoil Test between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth, on March 9, 2018. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP)

LIVE emotion – AFPTV is there at all the major press conferences with LIVE video capturing the emotion and drama, drawing an exceptionally large number of broadcast clients.

The image – Matching its reputation as the number one agency in the world of sports, AFP Photo is on hand to snap every aspect of the developing scandal, showing the shame and anger both on and off the field and in the corridors of power.

The aftermath – AFP's cricket writers explain what it all means for the game and for Australia, a proud sporting nation caught cheating at the game they love. As for the sport of gentlemen and fair play, its image may never fully recover.

One of cricket's biggest scandals. Three Australian players are punished, including captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, each banned for a year, who both make tearful confessions about a conspiracy to win at all costs.

AFP's plan

AFP's network

South Africa's batsman AB de Villiers celebrates scoring a century during day three of the second Test cricket match between South Africa and Australia at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on March 11, 2018. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP)

Bales are seen flying as the wicket of Australia batsman Mitchell Marsh is taken by South Africa bowler Kagiso Rabada during day four of the second Cricket Test match between South Africa and Australia at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, on March 12, 2018. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP)

Johannesburg, Sydney, Auckland, New Delhi, Islamabad, Colombo, London. The cricket world reacts and AFP tells the full unvarnished story of one of the biggest scandals in the history of the game.