This current crisis is a massive test for Cricket Australia. And, if it wants to do the right thing by the fans it needs to sack its captain.
After what has come to light since I penned my previous column here on The Roar, it is evident that extremely strong action has to be taken by CA, over and above whatever the ICC deems suitable.
Every professional sport survives on the back of its fans and, as such, Australian cricket fans deserve the sport’s governing body in this country to take firm and decisive action.
Some have spun the well-worn, ‘everybody does it’ defence.
That may be the case, but it is mere speculation until such time as concrete evidence is presented.
In this case, the evidence is secondary to the fact that the Australian captain has admitted to orchestrated cheating under his stewardship.
All of us speed and if we get caught have to accept the consequences.
If you flagrantly and recklessly break the speed limit you can lose your licence.
Likewise, Smith deserves to lose the captaincy and a CA-imposed playing ban as well for pushing the envelope well past breaking point.
CA has said it will follow due process before making a final decision on what penalties it will levy.
We await those decisions with interest.
In the meantime, Australian cricket will be hammered by all those who follow the sport around the world, and rightly so.
Less than a year ago, Australia’s cricketers were effectively holding their employer to ransom when they were demanding a greater cut of the financial pie.
One of the central planks of their stance was the argument that they were the most important commodity in the sport’s structure.
That, of course, is true.
However, the highest profile members of that group have now brought great shame to the sport in this country, and by extension, globally.
In terms of the ongoing reputation of Australian cricket this latest fiasco is perhaps the most significant since the underarm incident in New Zealand in 1981.
It still gets constant airings nearly four decades hence.
Yet, the two actions bear little resemblance.
What Greg Chappell ordered brother, Trevor to do was against the spirit of the game.
It was not cheating as such as the action was legal within the laws of the sport as they existed at that time.
Ball tampering is outright cheating and has always been viewed in that light by the game’s legislators.
In recent times there have been other high profile cases of ball tampering – most notably Mike Atherton and the sand in pocket at Lord’s in 1994 and Faf du Plessis’ mint in mouth at Hobart in 2016.
Again, there is a glaring difference between those two incidents and what unfolded at Cape Town.
Both those men were captain of their team at the time.
They chose to do what they did themselves, although other parties were no doubt aware of it.
What Smith did was order the newest player to the Australian team to carry out the deed.
There is an age-old adage about leadership – never ask others to do what you would not do yourself.
Smith opted not to take the risk himself but delegate it to the new boy.
He does not deserve to hold the captaincy as a result.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Bancroft also deserves whatever penalties are thrown his way.
He may have been ordered to do what he did but if you are handed a gun and told to use it you still have an option.
So did Bancroft and he chose to be part of the ruse.
Smith said at his post-play media conference that it was a plan hatched by the leadership group.
Who exactly makes up that leadership group has not been expanded on.
It doubtless includes vice-captain, David Warner and perhaps the team’s most senior player, Nathan Lyon or the likes of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood given the issue centres around the benefits that were to be derived by the fast bowlers.
Each of those involved needs to be heavily penalised.
Smith was at pains to say that coach, Darren Lehmann had no knowledge of the plan.
That simply beggars belief.
It is hard to comprehend that neither he nor fast bowling coach, David Saker were aware of the scheme.
If indeed they were not, they should have been Bancroft’s first port of call when he was asked to be a party to the scam.
If Lehmann and Saker are found to be even remotely involved in this farce they too need to be removed from their posts.
There is no way for CA to spin this. Guilt has been established by confession.
Australia has spoken voluminously in this series about the ‘line in the sand’.
On this occasion they have bounded over it with flagrant disregard for both the spirit and laws of the game.
The resultant stain on the sport in this country will last for a long time.
CA has to ask strongly and decisively. The fans and all those who underpin the sport in this country deserve it.
Grant Chisholm
Guest
Don`t sack Steve Smith as captain. He`s our captain ,he`s been punished enough,lets back! Grant
Grant Chisholm
Guest
Don`t sack Steve Smith as captain! It was plain dumb, but I suspect that ball tampering is common place, Du Pelese, Tandauka and many more leading cricketers have been guilty of the same. Steve Smith is a young man who is experiencing severe punishment now. He will be an even better captain with this experience behind him, so lets back him and move on! Grant Chisholm
John Quin
Guest
Also asleep at the wheel for the past 2 years.
Greg
Guest
I hate the sledging and the Aussies are worst at it, and worst in terms of taking it as well. As for "stripping Smith of the captaincy" - what a cop-out. He must go from the game completely. As should the "leadership", and the idiots running CA who condone ugly sledging and cheating in general it seems. Bloody shocking.
Greg
Guest
Smith has to go from the game altogether along with Warner, Lehmann and the silly bugger that stuffed the sandpaper down his undies. They are all grubs.
Greg
Guest
The media will be held up as to blame as well if it only wants Smith sacked as Captain. He must now go from the game itself. Essentially, Smith, Lehmann, Bancroft, and Warner all must go TODAY - all of them never to grace the field for Australia EVER AGAIN. If Smith and these other cheats have anything further to do with Australian cricket at any time, that will be a complete farce. Cheats should NEVER represent Australia ever.
Perry Bridge
Guest
SS Minnow Alas the ACCC has lamented today being unable to hand down tough enough penalties. Ironically - the corporate giants (with variously murky corporate ethics) rely on the squeaky clean image of sports to make them look good.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Tim Paine as captain now is interesting too. If for no other reason than he's the worst judge of a run in the side.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Seeing all these questions "Will Smith be Sacked?" and it's easy to think that it's bad grammer - "Will Smith to be sacked?" but alas, it's got nothing to do with the Hollywood actor. The sliding doors here - back to the cricket - is that had Smith left Bancroft under that bus - then, this would blow over like it did for Du Plessis re both the zipper and the mints. The real issue of lack of leadership here was the capitulation of Smith at the presser. You can't have a leader who is honest as a reflex. For that reason alone - Australia needs to find a new captain. btw - how disturbing is the video - complaints about ball tampering and we see close up shots of Bancroft with his hand down his pants. Back to big Will......
broken-hearted toy
Guest
Can you cut it out with language like 'retribution'? It's so over the top. Why on earth would Steve Smith be 'gone' anyway and for how long? The international body only banned him for 1 match.
Dave
Guest
ICC have done the right thing... What CA do is up to CA and nothing to do with us
Dave
Guest
Mint gate made the press big time.. But we moved on... I do know ball tampering has been happening forever. Allan Lamb was saying that now they should create new penalties etc. I dont think that all ball tampering is the same... Whataboutism doesnt work for me. (What about Atherton. What about Faf.) The ICC have dealt fairly with Smith and Bancroft..So penalty wise it is done. What CA do is up to them... Dont throw the baby out with the bath water.. But ask yourself how a leadership team can discuss it around the lunch table and none of them says no... Whatever someone else did... Aus needs to decide.. I am hoping there is a lot less finger pointing from the Aussies... Complaining about the SA crowd (some of which overstepped make no mistake) is rich given the behaviour encouraged back home. Lets move on... Roll on 4th test,,,I am loving the series... even the one we lost. Hopefully our groundsman does a better job than he did in January... Good luck and may the best team win...
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
The difference is India doesn’t cheat. Small fact, big difference.
SS Minnow
Guest
Yes it was premeditated cheating and heads must roll. But let's cool down a bit, as we sound so naive with the outrage displayed. Let's remember that each and every day in the business world in Australia , the captains of industry and their associates engage in cheating or unethical behaviour to get an unfair advantage over their rivals , or mercilessly and illegally use their muscle to ruin a small business supplier, with dire outcomes for the victims. Recent documented examples include one of our big retailers systematically ripping off suppliers for their own gain. A slap on the wrist is just about the extent of the punishment , and we all still shop there, and life goes on, without the public outrage. So before the "suits " take the moral high ground, remember it's not just the cricket team that need look in the mirror. Our cricketers attitudes simply reflect that of a large number of Aussie executives , politicians, union leaders etc - cheats, unethical, immoral.
I am not reslly in a position to be judge and jury, but I would think common sense must prevail. Even Tendulkar was once banned for a test due to alleged ball tampering. Nobody is above human weakness. Smith will obviously pay whatever penalty the ICC deems fair (not sure whether he has been chrged or not), CA seems to want to investigate first which I think is proper protocol, and they might decide he needs further punishment. If they want to remove him s captain I can understand that, but beyond that nothing.
Pretty much yes,
rock
Guest
I actually agree with you Dav in respect to the biggest thing that annoys me is the senior players throwing Bancroft under the bus. If they came up with it, they should have implemented it (similar to Faf).
rock
Guest
It wasn't sandpaper, goose.
rock
Guest
I agree and he should lose his captaincy, if they're going to come up with the plan they implement it themslef, not put it onto a junior player. But still, can't believe Faf has held onto the captaincy after not one but two instances.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Very well said Swampy, it is indeed a very sad / dark episode in Australian Cricket. I am embarrassed as a fan and yes our country has been shamed. Call it hyperbole if you must, however we are talking about our national sport. I don’t give a Rats if other countries have done it / got away with it. Why did we stoop to this nonsense.