South Africa’s Aiden Markram shocked over Australia ball tampering

Opener Aiden Markram has admitted South Africa were stunned when they learned that Australia had tampered with the ball during their hard-fought Test series victory.

Australia skipper Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opener Cameron Bancroft have all since been banned for the parts they played in the scandal during the third Test in Cape Town.

Proteas batsman Markram, who on Monday was unveiled as Durham’s overseas signing for their first four Specsavers County Championship matches of the season, said: ‘We were very shocked.

Cameron Bancroft admitted tampering with the ball during the third Test against South Africa

‘The heat of the series was obviously happening, it was the third Test match and it was a crunch game, and the next thing, the story broke out.

‘We woke up the next morning and the guys couldn’t believe what happened. It hit home overnight.’

Markram added: ‘It was tough to see what the Australians went through.

Steve Smith fights back the tears in a press conference during the ball-tampering scandal

‘You don’t wish that on your worst enemy, so I’m sure they’re glad it’s done and we’re glad it’s done.

‘It was a really tough series and fortunately, we came out the right side. But it was very tough.’