• Geneva (AFP) | 11/03/2026 - 15:20:02 | UN urges 'humanitarian exemptions' to get aid through Strait

  • United Nations (AFP) | 11/03/2026 - 15:18:47 | States backing UN peacekeepers in Lebanon voice 'deep alarm' at hostilities

  • London (AFP) | 11/03/2026 - 15:17:17 | UK PM was warned of 'risk' of ex-envoy's ties to Epstein': govt documents

  • Dubai (AFP) | 11/03/2026 - 15:14:13 | Citi evacuates Dubai employees after Iran threatens MidEast banks: source to AFP

  • Geneva (AFP) | 11/03/2026 - 15:14:10 | Switzerland closes Tehran embassy but maintains 'open line' between US, Iran

  • Tehran (AFP) | 11/03/2026 - 15:10:41 | Iran Guards warn of 'war of attrition' with US, Israel 

  • Muscat (AFP) | 11/03/2026 - 15:07:06 | Drone strike hits fuel tanks at Omani port: state media

  • London (AFP) | 11/03/2026 - 15:03:51 | British fintech Revolut gets full UK banking licence

  • Fribourg (AFP) | 11/03/2026 - 14:48:20 | Deadly Swiss bus fire started by 'disturbed' man who set himself alight: prosecutor

  • Gaza City (AFP) | 11/03/2026 - 14:32:13 | Hamas says hopes new Iran leader will 'defeat Israeli-American aggression'

AFP's Breaking News: ball tampering scandal

Begin the story

The scene

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.

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The action

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.

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AFP's plan

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.

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AFP's network

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.

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