AUSTRALIA may have also cheated in the Ashes against England this winter... after Cameron Bancroft was spotted appearing to pour sugar into his pocket.

The opening batsman, 25, was caught on camera seemingly tipping the substance into his left pocket during the Fifth Test in Sydney this January.

6 Cameron Bancroft appears to pour sugar in his pocket against England in January Credit: Twitter

6 Fans have suggested Australia cheated during the Ashes too Credit: Twitter

Bancroft was making a cup of tea as he stealthily moved the sugar into his trousers, sparking claims of potential foul-play.

The sugar may have been simply a sweet-treat or to sweeten his saliva to aid the ball to swing.

However, many disgruntled England fans have suggested he could have used the coarse nature of raw sugar to scratch the ball.

BBC journalist Dan Walker even described Bancroft as looking "sheepish" as he slipped the substance into his pocket.

Australia in mourning after cricket cheats bring shame on national sport

6 Australia were given a talking to by umpires after appearing to tamper with the ball Credit: AP:Associated Press

Couldn’t look more sheepish — Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) March 24, 2018

He couldn’t look more guilty if it was another sachet of white powder — Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) March 24, 2018

Quash the Ashes result and bring the urn back to England! — Peakthinking (@Peakthinking) March 24, 2018

Walker tweeted: "Couldn't look more sheepish."

Meanwhile, another social media user demanded the Ashes return to England, saying: "Quash the Ashes result and bring the urn back to England!"

The Times' Martyn Ziegler quipped: "He couldn’t look more guilty if it was another sachet of white powder."

The video of Bancroft's sugar escapades appeared on social media after the batsman admitted to ball-tampering in Australia's ongoing Test with South Africa.

Australia Cricket player Cameron Bancroft admits to ball-tampering whilst captain Steve Smith knew in advance during test match with South Africa

6 Cameron Bancroft admitted to tampering with the ball against South Africa Credit: AP:Associated Press

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Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft appears to tamper with the ball during South Africa test

Bancroft could be seen fiddling with the ball on day three at Newlands, Cape Town, before captain Steve Smith sensationally admitted to cheating.

When quizzed by reporters over the remarkable footage, a visibly embarrassed Bancroft couldn't hide from the humiliation.

He said: "We just had discussions with the match officials. I've been charged with attempting to change the condition of the ball.

"Once I was sighted on the big screens I panicked quite a lot."

6 Steve Smith has been relieved of his captaincy duties for the current Test Credit: Reuters

Bancroft doesn't look at all guilty there, does he? 🤔 Serious questions to answer for @CricketAus @stevesmith49 — Luke McLaughlin (@LukeMcLaughlin) March 24, 2018

Send that Urn home 😂😂😂😂😂😂 #cheats — Matt (@matt_scottuk) March 24, 2018

6 Cameron Bancroft, left, and Steve Smith owned up to ball tampering in a remarkable press conference after day three of the Third Test against South Africa Credit: AFP

Smith added: "We spoke about it and thought it was a possible way to get an advantage.

"The leadership group knew about it. I'm not proud of it. The coaches weren't involved. It won't happen ever again under my leadership."

The Australian cricket team have since been slammed by Aussie prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, as well as national legends such as Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist.

The Australian Sports Commission also spoke out to condemn the team's actions, while Cricket Australia revealed Smith and vice-captain David Warner would be stepped-down from their duties for the rest of the current Test.