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Watch: A ball-tampering demo

Steve Smith and senior players conspired to change the condition of the ball using sticky tape and grit from the pitch during the third Test at Newlands against South Africa with Australia's opening batsman Cameron Bancroft caught on camera using the tape.

Here is a timeline of Saturday's incident which could cause irreparable damage to Australia's reputation as a cricketing side:

LUNCH: South Africa go to lunch with a lead of more than 100 and the loss of a single wicket.

Australia's leadership group, including Smith and other senior players, hatch a plan to tamper with the ball to gain reverse swing. Bancroft is chosen to carry out the task.

TAMPERING: Bancroft uses yellow sticky tape and grit from the pitch and to work on the ball while attempting to shine it.

CAMERA: Host broadcasters repeatedly show close-up footage of Bancroft rubbing the ball on the big screen at Newlands. Footage also suggests Australia head coach Darren Lehmann saw the images and subsequently sent substitute Peter Handscomb on to the field to alert Bancroft.

LEHMANN: The head coach is seen talking on a two-way radio while Handscomb is out on the field with a similar device speaking to Bancroft.

TAPE: Television images show Bancroft, after being alerted, shoving the tape clumsily down the front of his trousers to keep it out of the gaze of the umpires. Bancroft later admitted he was nervous and panicked when he realised that cameras in the stadium had caught him in the act.

UMPIRES: The on-field officials confront Bancroft who produces a black sunglass bag from his pockets and the umpires then allow play to continue.

INTERVIEWS: Facing the cameras, Smith admitted the side's leadership group had planned to tamper with the ball. Bancroft said he was charged by the ICC with a Level 2 offence for attempting to alter the condition of the ball.

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