There’s still unanswered questions from ball-tampering saga, writes Robert Craddock

The more we learn about cricket’s ball tampering scandal, the more clouded the path forward. Robert Craddock pinpoints seven key questions that still need to be answered.

The more we learn about cricket’s ball tampering scandal, the more we realise how much we don’t know.

For all of the grisly facts that have emerged about the ball tampering in South Africa, the clear-the-air interviews and general discussion which followed them, the path forward is as clouded as the events of the day.

DAY 3: INDIA WITH FOOT ON AUSSIE THROATS

NOT HAPPY: TEST GREATS LASH SMITH, BANCROFT

Here are seven unanswered questions …

Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner are the faces of the ball-tampering saga. Pic: AFP

1. Who knew what?

This is the $64 million question and one not likely to be ever answered. Because Cricket Australia investigated only the Cape Town Test, kept their questions to a narrow band and did not interview all tourists, there has always been a suspicion that more people may have known than the three players.

CA has no plans to dig up the past so unless Warner sings it may remain an eternal mystery.

2. Did ball tampering occur in any other Test?

The reason why television cameras were trained on the ball in Cape Town was the whispers in Port Elizabeth that Australia was tampering with the ball. AB de Villiers was in constant contact with the umpires. South African players even approached match officials after stumps in private to air their concerns. Nothing has ever been proved though.

3. Will David Warner ever play for Australia again?

Probably. Say what you like about team harmony but in the five Tests he has missed Australia has not discovered a big time player.

Public comments by Justin Langer and Aaron Finch suggest Warner will return despite them recently inserting a “good character’’ clause in selections which gave them an escape clause if he is overlooked.

4. Can Warner ever truly fit back into the Australian team?

Steve Smith and Warner have both insisted there was no major falling out but they are yet to train with each other and it’s difficult to see how such a life-changing event could not diminish a relationship which was not tight to begin with. The friction between Warner and the bowlers at the time was profound and will take some therapy.

5. Will Steve Smith ever captain Australia again?

The door remains ajar partially because few others are entering the room. Tim Paine will be 35 next year, Travis Head and Mitch Marsh are yet to truly prove themselves. Ricky Ponting believes Smith will be back at the helm but there is a growing feeling the wounds of this scandal are so deep that he might simply be best to return as a batsman and senior player.

6. Will Cameron Bancroft play Test cricket again?

Tight call. Recent Test selector Mark Waugh conceded Bancroft was under mounting scrutiny for his place at the time of the scandal. With a Test average of 30.9 after eight matches, Bancroft never quite cracked it.

There is one other significant side issue ...

7. If Warner comes back to the top of the order, does Australia really want to pair him with his partner-in-crime in the most infamous event in recent Australian history?

Former Test batsman Michael Slater suggested Warner’s relationship with Bancroft may now be untenable.

Bancroft’s biggest plus is that Test coach Justin Langer is one of his biggest mentors.

Every Test, ODI, T20I, and BBL match live. SIGN UP NOW!