Home  >  Stumped  >  Sandpapergate: Inside the ball-tampering scandal
Stumped
Sandpapergate: Inside the ball-tampering scandal
Stumped
Apr 16, 2020

We're joined by the man at the middle of one of the biggest scandals in cricket history. Umpire Ian Gould tells us about the “heart-stopping moment” when Australia’s plot to tamper with the ball was uncovered in Cape Town in 2018 – and the infamous scenes that followed. Plus, a special report from a camp in Beirut where cricket is providing a source of joy to Syrian refugees.

Photo: Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft with umpires in Cape Town (Getty Images)

More Episodes


Mar 26, 2026
IPL 2026: Can Virat Kohli lead RCB to back-to-back titles?

The IPL returns for its 19th edition and Royal Challengers Bengaluru start as the defending champions for the first time in their history.

Former IPL player and now commentator Abhinav Mukund joins Eleanor Oldroyd, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma to discuss the big IPL talking points ahead of the start of the season.

Can RCB win back-to-back titles and should teams expect “a scary version” of Virat Kohli now he goes in as a T20 specialist?

Will this be MS Dhoni’s last dance in the IPL? Mukund gives his view as his former team-mate and how he expects Chennai Super Kings to utilise both Dhoni and new signing Sanju Samson.

There’s also talk around Cameron Green and whether being the most expensive overseas player in IPL history will add extra pressure on the Australian? Plus, what to expect from teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi and has Ben Duckett made the right decision to focus on England over the IPL?

The Stumped team also reflect on the news England coach Brendon McCullum, Test captain Ben Stokes and director of cricket Rob Key are all remaining in their posts, despite the 4-1 Ashes series defeat. Is it the right decision and how can England “evolve”?

Image: Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifts the IPL trophy following the trophy presentation in the 2025 IPL Final match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at Narendra Modi Stadium on June 03, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)


41min 51sec


Sandpapergate: Inside the ball-tampering scandal

--:--
--:--