A playful on-field moment involving Australian batsman Travis Head has sparked a wave of humorous accusations of 'ball tampering' from cricket fans, casting a light-hearted yet pointed shadow over the infamous Sandpapergate scandal that still haunts the team.
A Cheeky Prank on Live TV
The incident occurred on day one of the second Ashes Test at Brisbane's Gabba ground. After the first tea break, cameras captured Travis Head ambushing teammate Michael Neser near the boundary rope. In a gesture colloquially known in Australia as a 'sack tap', Head flicked his fingers back into Neser's groin area.
This practical joke came as Neser had been controversially elevated to the starting side at the expense of veteran spinner Nathan Lyon. While entirely unrelated to the game's laws, the visual proved irresistible fodder for fans, particularly those from rival nations who continue to remind Australia of its past transgressions.
Fans React with Sandpapergate Jibes
The action prompted an immediate and humorous reaction on social media, with supporters globally linking the prank to the sport's most notorious cheating controversy. 'Again Aussies caught while tampering the ball,' one fan posted online. Another quipped, 'Checking if sandpaper is there or not.'
These comments directly reference the 2018 scandal in South Africa, where Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to alter the ball's condition. An investigation found then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner orchestrated the plan, leading to 12-month bans for the senior players and a nine-month suspension for Bancroft. Coach Darren Lehmann resigned in the aftermath.
A Larrikin's History and the Match Situation
Head is no stranger to boisterous behaviour, having cemented his status as a cult hero with raucous celebrations after his match-winning century in the 2023 World Cup final. His character was on full display again, though this prank is unlikely to attract any official sanction.
On the field, England finished the day strongly at 9-325, rescued by a superb 135 not out from captain Joe Root and a late stand with Jofra Archer after early wickets. Australia's Mitchell Starc was the standout bowler, taking 6-71 and claiming a wicket in the first over for the third consecutive innings.
With Usman Khawaja out injured, Head is expected to open the batting for Australia when they begin their reply, facing a challenging total that England will hope to push beyond 350 on Friday.
