Australian ball-tampering scandal: NZ batsman Ross Taylor signs sandpaper in Barmy Army prank

IN THE wake of Australia’s ball tampering scandal, record-breaking New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has been comically caught signing a piece of sandpaper as part of a Barmy Army prank. WATCH THE VIDEO.

IN THE wake of Australia’s ball tampering scandal, record-breaking New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has inadvertently been caught signing a piece of sandpaper as part of a Barmy Army prank.

England’s larrikin cricket fans have posted a video of their gag on Twitter which shows a fan handing Taylor a piece of paper.

New Zealand’s Ross Taylor. Picture: AP

The Kiwi was hurriedly signing memorabilia for fans in between deliveries while posted on the boundary.

He had just handed back a cricket ball when he unwittingly received sandpaper.

He is then seen signing the paper before dropping it, and a pen, over the fence, possibly in a hurry to return to his fielding position just inside the boundary.

The sandpaper signed by Ross Taylor.

Raucous laughter can be heard when Taylor returns the sandpaper.

The tweet did not mention when the signing took place but today was the first day of the second test between New Zealand and England at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. New Zealand are fielding.

The Barmy Army were cashing in on the ball tampering scandal which has rocked Australia cricket.

ANALYSIS: Smith pushes through pain barrier

BANCROFT: ‘I lied, I panicked’

REPERCUSSIONS: Bancroft loses contract

LEHMANN: The moment that forced him out

VACANCY: The candidates for Lehmann’s role

R EACTION: Cricket world throws support behind Smith

WARNER: ‘I apologise for my part’

SANDPAPER-GATE: ‘Just like Cronje scandal’

Skipper Steve Smith and his vice-captain David Warner were banned for a year and fledgling batsman Cameron Bancroft was outed for nine months for their roles in the plot to use sandpaper to alter the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann last night said he will stand down after the fourth Test against South Africa at The Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg.

Originally published as Australian ball-tampering scandal: NZ batsman Ross Taylor signs sandpaper in Barmy Army prank