England had concerns about Australian ball tampering during the Ashes but there was never any solid evidence to take to the authorities.

England were suspicious of how Australia at times managed to achieve reverse swing despite the lush outfields and lack of lateral movement during the series in general. Concerns centred on David Warner polishing the ball at mid-off but the only time anything remotely suspicious was picked up on camera involved Cameron Bancroft in the fifth Test in Sydney.

He was seen spooning sugar into his hand and then putting it in his pocket before going on the pitch.

Sugar granules could be used as an abrasive to help scuff up the ball, but the matter was explained away at the time as an innocent way of a player taking an energy boost on the field in hot, strength-sapping conditions.