Send Steve Smith to Robben Island. Cut one of Cameron Bancroft’s fingers off. Take David Warner’s OLED away so he can’t watch his cartoons. So many have been eager to deliver their punishment recommendations for Australia’s ball-tampering crims in Cape Town.
And so many have come up with sanctimonious drivel.
Life bans? Are you serious? Twelve-month bans? No way.
Take a chill pill.
More on ball-tampering sanctions
» Australia’s on-field leaders have been banished, but this is just the beginning
» Smith, Warner, and Bancroft to be sent home as Lehmann found innocent
» “Australian cricket is in deep s***”: Michael Clarke not satisfied with CA response
» Matt Renshaw must replace Cameron Bancroft permanently
Smith, Warner and Bancroft have been sent home and should be suspended for the next Test series, which is two away Tests against Pakistan, as well being slapped with a chunky fine. That period would also mean missing 10 one-day internationals and four international T20 games.
Smith should be stripped of the captaincy and Warner of the vice-captaincy. But they shouldn’t be frozen out of returning to leadership roles.
Perhaps a two-year absence would be plenty of time to reassess the responsibilities and expectations of being Australia’s Test cricket captain and deputy.
Punishments are meant to befit the severity of the offence. This was a case heavy with bare stupidity than the meticulous plotting of master criminals. Yellow sticky tape? What the? Who was the Officeworks stationery guru that stood up on the grassy knoll grasping the roll of yellow sticky tape? Brain activity was certainly stationary.
Of course, there should’ve been a senior player that put a lid on this ludicrous plan. Leadership was lacking and sanctions are critical in ensuring an element of justice. But…
Too much emphasis has been placed on the pre-meditation in the clumsy dressing room cheating plan. The heat-of-the-battle leniency stinks, at least in a non-contact sport like cricket. The argument that Greg Chappell’s 1981 underarm plot wasn’t as bad as this current ball-tampering saga is nuts. Oh, but it was within the rules. And it was in the heat of the battle; as if Chappell during all the time he was relaying his orders to his brother Trevor and returning to his fielding position couldn’t absorb it was a ridiculous idea.
That low act directly influenced the result of a match. It was shameful. It was way more cowardly than what transpired at Newlands.
Bancroft’s whacky and sticky plan wasn’t even assured of working. If he had got enough scratches onto the Kookaburra, then that wouldn’t have guaranteed it would hoop around corners for the rest of the innings.
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Thankfully, the lame scheme was picked up early. It didn’t affect the result in any way. The ball wasn’t changed by the umpires. It would’ve been infinitely worse if South Africa had been rolled for 200 with a ball zipping around, the Aussies chased it down to win and the incriminating video footage is picked up later.
That’s not a defence for what the Australians planned. But the bitterness lingers a lot longer when the act of cheating definitively affects the result. It’s much better when the EPO-drunk cyclist tests positive in stage two or three of the Tour de France than three days after riding triumphantly down the Champs-Elysees.
There was some respect for Smith and Bancroft’s frank confessions immediately after the day’s play. Faf du Plessis has been found guilty twice for blatant acts of ball-tampering and yet he’s still in denial, labelling the zipper-assisted and mint-flavoured shockers as “ball shining”. And he was made captain soon after.
Michael Atherton did it. So did Shahid Afridi. Martin Crowe admitted to it.
Pretty much every international team changes the nature of the ball to varying degrees. Again, that’s no defence for Australia’s Cape Town villains. But it does emphasise how ridiculous their idea was – with the not-so-discreet yellow tape – and especially in 2018 when so many cameras are stalking. It was that poorly conceived that there should be a charge levelled of bringing stupidity into disrepute.
Being banned for a few Tests and a chunk of ODIs will help drag Smith out of his bubble and hopefully release him from the win-at-all-costs mentality.
He’s a self-confessed cricket nerd. He’s totally absorbed. And there’s plenty to admire in someone so devoted to their craft. But the embarrassment he’s endured already should be enough to ensure he treasures his credibility more than his team’s win-loss ledger.
There was no match-fixing. No spot-fixing. He didn’t rap a cricket bat around someone’s head.
A 12-month ban for a case like this would be way too excessive. The response from some has been hysterical. There’s a price to pay, but the chance for redemption shouldn’t wait until next year.
Chris
Guest
Both incidents damned Australian Cricket and branded us internationally as cheats! I wonder how many other incidents of ball tampering passed unnoticed? This has been going on for years. I dare to say it all started in the Richie Benaud modern era. All bowlers post 1960 have been guilty of it. Needless to say, the tears shed on cameras were nothing more than Crocodile Tears. All nations involved in this sport have been guilty of it in the last fifty or so years and I care not for the theatrical performances of Lehmann and Smith. Could they be crying about their slashed income levels?
Norman
Guest
Will, I will be watching my cardoons not cartoons and I will be sitting on my couch. cardoons with the kids on my OLED. I love the Blacks on my cardoons...blacks, cardoons, couch, blacks, on my OLED. Adios Warner.
ken gargett
Guest
the whole thing is an absolute tragedy. it was heart-wrenching to watch bancroft and smith give those press conferences (no surprise warner didn't front up). one hopes that they can both get their careers back on track in time, though hopefully never again as australian captain. they have surely forfeited that honour. but the simple answer for them is don't cheat and don't lie. if they had not, they would not be in this mess. i think the penalties are perfectly reasonable. harsher than i thought CA would impose (hardly an organisation known for its spine and a few of them should be looking down the barrel one would think) but not out of proportion. this little exercise might have cost those that committed the acts a great deal of money. it has cost the game far more, in terms of reputation, integrity and also simple cash. cricket in australia has now lost various sponsorships ($20 mill plus from magellan and who knows what else is to come). it has also potentially cost it a fortune in tv rights. the expert on tv last night said $250 to $300 million. i have no idea of that is correct or even close but say it is only half that. still massive. and no one will be lining up to give cricket in australia that sort of money as a replacement. it is gone. lost to the game. money that could have been used for so many positive things, not least grass roots cricket. money that could have helped in the coaching and development of how many kids? many of whom will now be lost to other sports. because of the stupid and thoughtless actions of a couple of dimwits who thought that both cheating and lying was a good idea. i have no problem with the penalties.
Barry Richards
Guest
Broken a rule which is a level 2 one - 75 to 100% match fee fine and or 1 test or 2 one day game ban- to come to 12 months and 9 month bans for this is incredible not to mention the millions they have lost in income as a result which has not been taken into account- Tendulkar was fined for ball tampering - do you think the Indian cricket board would even contemplate suspending him?? - no way they would ever do that - like wise for du Plessis by SA Cricket board who twice was fined for ball tampering - no ban ever. Overreaction is an understatement- more like a political one
Barry Richards
Guest
CA are weak as p... caved into the usual lynch mob nobodies of the press and lefty pc's- 12 month ban is a disgrace more like a 2 year ban - oh you can play grade cricket in late 2018 but no chance of you being selected for any national team in 2019 as your only playing hit and giggle and basically amateur cricket and your ban ends in March 2019 anyway - the next Sheffield shield comp of first class cricket starts in late 2019. Chances of any of them being selected in the world cup squad or ashes tour in 2019 after their ban ends in March 2019 is as much chance of me winning lotto(I don't buy tickets for starters). Lose millions of dollars in the process in income and oh by the way your CA Contract runs out on June 30 2018 too - oh and 100 hours of community service you have to do too mmm like criminals get where as..... The two people behind the storm finance crash were investors lost 100's of millions were only fined 70k each and banned from being a director for 7 years. Smith/Warner/Bancroft need to apeal this for sure
michael steel
Guest
It wasn't worse at all.
LuckyEddie
Guest
Was the underarm a spur of the moment thing? Maybe it was discussed as an option if the situation arises.
Huddo
Guest
there was never any rule against the underarm bowl, it was against the spirit. these boys have broken rules
DB8R
Guest
This is utterly ridiculous. And this has more to do with ACF Virtue Signalling. So tired of two faced 'organisations'. They tolerated sledging but now they are suddenly holier than thou. Yes its wrong. Yes its a form of cheating. Whilst rubbing the ball on your pants (a material?) to make it shine and swing more I guess is just fine. I doubt whether the greatest batsman since Bradman will return to play. The MSM wolves who love a big story and make money from lying as a daily 'journalistic endeavour' will make sure they make he and the other two boys lives hell. Oh, plus your penalty is...hmm let's make it $4M. Yes $4M. That sounds fair. Anyone watching would think they embezzled a major corporation, stole pensioners superannuation funds, robbed a jewellery store and hacked into the CIA. A monetary fine, short suspension of significance is enough. Especially since most cricketers try and scratch the ball somehow. And will AFL players be banned for 12 months - deducted $4M for deliberately falling over in the forward lines and getting a free kick in front of the goals?
Don
Guest
I’m English (boo, hiss) and couldn’t agree more. Yes, they were being stupid and got caught, but many before them haven’t been, so attempting to gain an edge has become an accepted practice by all teams. However, as a cricket fan any ban will be be at a loss to those of us who like to watch these fine players, even if we hate losing to them. They’ve been caught out and will have to live with the shame, for want of a better word, for the rest of their careers. Why not just leave it at that.
Peter
Roar Rookie
The underarm incident was blatant. This was them trying to cheat and not be noticed. There's a sneakiness that makes this feel worse to most people.
sheek
Guest
Will, If that was your banner headline, give yourself an uppercut. if it was The Roar's decision, tell them to give themselves an uppercut. Anyone who suggests the underarm incident of 1981 was far worse than the ball tampering of 2018 is an idiot , or delusional, or ignorant, or all of the above. However, i agree we shouldn't get carried away with this. Sure, Smith, Warner & Bancroft should all face penalties. But once they have served their time, they should be given another opportunity. The unknown is if they can overcome the emotional scars.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
But if everyone calms down and acts rationally what am I going to do with this pitchfork and noose?? I think a 12 month ban from international cricket and never being allowed to hold a leadership position at international or state level should be enough to ensure nobody else thinks this kind of thing is a good idea. The Australian team needed a good clean out and maybe this will be the start. Sledging should be next on the radar. You can get under someones skin without resorting to verbal abuse, Warner has never grasped this it seems. If they are good enough they will get their heads down in the Sheffield Shield and demand selection. However it should not be an automatic thing, if Renshaw and Burns are on fire Davey will just have to wait. I can't see anyone keeping Smith out but you never know, Maxwell might just start playing cricket. Sya goodbye to Boof as well, there is no way he is clean in all this. No way at all.
Simoc
Guest
"It was that poorly conceived that there should be a charge leveled of bringing stupidity into disrepute." I like that one! Very good. I think the damage is done. Just get rid of the coach, the CEO and the Chair of CA and try again with some decent people rather than the hopelessly performed flops currently holding the positions.
Irie4
Guest
Something within the laws of the game, is no different to cheating (breaking the rules)...!? You'd have to be a defence lawyer to think that
rock
Guest
While I'm not sure I totally agree with his view on the underarm saga, the rest of the article is pretty much spot on.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
I wonder how many regional junior cricket clinics the current australian players do now my post was via AB . Not long after that anticlimax
ken gargett
Guest
actually the very earliest days of cricket were played like that - underarm bowling. overarm bowling had to be made legal. so underarm bowling was legal then and remained so. until the fallout from that game.
watcher
Guest
That is incorrect, Geoff Howarth was the Kiwi Captain and a County Cricketer. He knew it was banned in England and thought it must be the same in Aussie. The rules hadn't been amended at that time. It was a mistake by Chappell and has joined Pavlova and Phar Lap, and latterly Crowded House, good for banter. From this Kiwi perspective the hypocrisy of some (Note some) of this Aussie team about being for the purity of the values of the game has been blown out of the water. Their holier than thou attitude has been exposed for what it is. Punishments are in order, but not career ending ones, if they correct their attitudes I for one want to see Smith and Warner's skills. It sounds like the relationships between players is fraught as well. That might not be a bad thing and will find it's own level if managed right.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
100% Unfit to lead