Watch: Ross Taylor signs 'sandpaper' in Barmy Army prank

Twitter@Triplemcricket

The Barmy Army is having a ball over arch-rivals Australia's involvement in ball-tampering! 

The Barmy Army, fanatic supporters of the English cricket team, is presently in New Zealand to support Joe Root's men. And during the first day of the second Test at Christchurch on Friday, they made New Zealand player Ross Taylor sign a piece of sandpaper. Watch the video here and try not to laugh. 

Ross Taylor signs a piece of sandpaper. pic.twitter.com/2JGPjmON5r — England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) March 30, 2018

The "sandpaper" clearly hints at the ball-tampering scandal Australia are currently embroiled in. Aussie Cameron Bancroft, in league with Steve Smith and David Warner, used sandpaper in order to alter the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

All three players were severely punished by Cricket Australia (CA) on Wednesday. Smith and Warner were banned for one year, while Bancroft was banned for nine months.

There is more! Smith and Bancroft can't captain the Australian team for 12 months after their return. In the case of Warner, he can never be considered for Australia captaincy. Not to mention, 100 hours of community service for all three.  

One can see in the video that Taylor is fielding on the boundary and signs in haste in order to get back to the field before the ball is bowled. He evidently has no idea what he has been handed by the autograph seeker. Be that as it may, the English supporters can be seen having a big laugh, which doesn't come as a surprise in light of the proverbial rivalry between Australia and England. 

Australia had had the better of England in the recent Ashes, taking the five-game contest 4-0. Now, this is another level from the Barmy Army, you will agree.

Steve Smith is an Aussie
He wears a baggy cap
And when he saw some sticky tape
He said I'm having that...
He gave it Cameron Bancroft
Who rubbed it on the ball
Those cheating Aussie convicts
They'll never change at all!

Credit: @SJL_81 — England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) March 25, 2018

The ball-tampering scandal has certainly given the Barmy Army a big opportunity to get their own back on the Aussie team, and they are not going to waste it!