After reading multiple articles in the aftermath of Cameron Bancroft’s ball tampering in Cape Town, I have been overwhelmed with emotions of anger, disappointment and sadness, to the point where I have been on the verge of tears.
Eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this unfathomable story to evolve, I pondered on the fact there has been no writing from the perspective of a teenager.
This is the generation of Australian cricket fans which could be most affected by the unacceptable events that took place on the 25th of March 2018, as the narratives of their cricketing idols were tipped upside down.
I say this as a 16-year-old male, living in rural New South Wales, where cricket and the Australian cricket team, in particular, have been part of my life ever since I can remember.
Around the age of seven was when I began to take a keen interest in the proceedings of the national team – about the same time a young baby-faced leg=-spinner made his debut for New South Wales.
A year later, on the 30th of December 2008, I was at ANZ Stadium for my first taste of professional cricket. The cover star of the days match program was the leading wicket-taker of the previous season’s T20 Big Bash, Steven Peter Devereux Smith.
I have no recollection of the result, but my milo cricket hat was signed by a new cricketing hero who happened to have the undiscovered potential which would one day make him the greatest batsman of his time.
On the inside of that same program, an exciting opening batsman was featured for his recent run of ‘electrifying’ form. He would later kick-off his international career with a bang, scoring 89 off 43 balls in a T20 against South Africa, his first and now, it seems potential last international opponent.
That confident young man was, of course, the currently exiled vice-captain of Australia, David Warner.
I vividly remember that David Warner innings and recall the joy of being told my favourite state player, Smith, had been called up for his Test debut in 2010.
These two players didn’t make me fall in love with the game. That honour belongs to players like Michael Hussey and Brett Lee, the long car trips listening to the ABC and my parent’s passion for the sport. They did, however, fuel a far-fetched dream to one day represent Australia.
As greats such as ‘Mr Cricket’, ‘Binga’ and Ricky Ponting moved on, allowing young blood into the side, Warner and Smith further enraptured my love for cricket through their exciting styles of play.
Warner was the player obsessed with for my latter primary school days as Smith slipped out of the national scene between 2011 and 2013. I dressed up as Warner for superhero-themed mufti days and to little surprise, my bat of choice was a Kaboom.
After Michael Clarke’s retirement in 2015, the captaincy reins were handed over to Smith. It was the first time there was an Australian cricket team in which I had witnessed the development of our stars from their humbling teenage beginnings to the pinnacle of the sport.
I was only fortunate enough to see the back end of those other players illustrious career. This team led by Smith and Warner, containing Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and co. was the Australian Cricket team belonging to my generation.
They were the team we would tell our children and grandchildren about. They were the players living out my unattainable dream of representing Australia.
I will still tell my children about this Australian cricket team, but not how it was originally imagined.
Instead, tape gate is what I will tell my children about this team of Australian cricketers who were once my heroes, now law-breakers who disrespected the fans so loyal to them.
The decision to blatantly tamper with the ball was utterly disgusting and stupid. Worse than that it showed a lack of integrity and intelligence within the side.
Over the past year or so, my fondness of Warner waned as his aggressive nature escalated to unacceptable levels. In recent months, I was also beginning to lose respect for Smith as he allowed personal feuds to affect selection (Glenn Maxwell) and forced changes in the New South Wales side for his own benefit (the dropping of Ed Cowan for Daniel Hughes).
Alas, as they crunched England during the Ashes, all faith was restored. As I sat in the stands of the SCG during the fifth Test, I was once again in awe, watching the same men I had seen eight years ago utilising their skills to the fullest.
All that respect is now completely lost and will never be restored. Smith and Warner ought to never play for Australia again after bringing the game into disrepute. Some may say it was a mistake, but it was no mistake. Bancroft’s tampering of the ball was a deliberate act, as he and his skipper said in the press confernece after Day 3 in Cape Town.
As sad as it is, their careers for Australia must end here in order for the game to move on and the next phase of Australian cricket to start off on a clean slate. It is sad for my generation, as we will never see their careers go full circle from their beginnings, mentioned before, to their laps of honours upon retirement as greats of the game.
I feel an inner sense of denial. Maybe the ball tampering never happened and that in a summer’s time we will be celebrating their achievements in the baggy green once more, but this is not the case. There can be no denying their reputation within Australian history has been forever tainted and will always be frowned upon.
I do, however, have to move on despite the fact my Australian cricket team has been taken away from me by those I spent years idolising, tragically watching highlight reels of and modelling my own game upon.
I feel idiotic for wasting much of my childhood worshiping two men who have done their best to destroy a sport and taken for granted their position in national society myself and millions of others have and will long for.
Steve Smith and David Warner – you have let me down and my peers down, we loved you and you have treated us like this.
You should both be ashamed of yourselves and deserve to receive your harsh punishments.
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
Hear Hear hit the nail on the head Peter
Peter Forde
Roar Rookie
Barry - what schools people went -or go - to is irrelevant. It's what they learn that is important. It appears that you do not know which 'school' teaches the fundamental morals upon which Western Civilisation was founded - the abundant benefits of which you, and all of us, are so incredibly lucky to enjoy. The 'school' that teaches those principles - which so many today do not know because they never went to that 'school' - is a Christian church's Sunday School. Lest you now jump to the typical - and mistaken - conclusion, I am NOT some kind of 'religious freak.' I just happen to more informedly than most know what is best for sustaining the best civilisation the world has ever known that is now being destroyed by people by people so ignorant that they do not even know - let alone how - they are destroying it. As I write this I see on the page a video link with a caption "Warne takes aim at 'disgraceful' media over ball tampering scandal." Soddenly some bloke who was good at cricket and chasing women is a 'moral guide'? Ignorant idiots everywhere - which is exactly why, as Thomas Jefferson warned, we will lose our democracy and associated freedoms. Don't even think of arguing with Thomas Jefferson or his messenger/spokesperson (me) - just watch ..... As for posting my email address, why not? I have already received 'private' communications from 'likeminded' people. As for spammers or abusers - my system has a brilliant, automatic delete filter for them...
Peter Forde
Roar Rookie
Because I have a moment, I will briefly respond, although I do not usually respond to people who unflatteringly self-evidence what they truly are. Brand6, I have been insulted by experts. Yours is so unoriginal that I have to suggest you practice a lot more and lift your game....
brand6
Guest
PS. Nicholas ....please see Joe Hildebrand s article today for a full and accurate description of what i referred to as "the environment" I hope this article will give you a broader perception of what is actually going on here Peter Forde :to quote Lisa Simpson "you sir are a baboon" (With apologies to baboons everywhere)
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
As I said before, I accept the struggle Jose has whilst my friends are like leaves and go for 'good' clubs like Barca and Real. They all go for City now after dumping for old chelsea and Spurs noah.barling07@gmail.com
Katie Cripps
Guest
Well said and written. I thoroughly agree with you.
Sean Mortell
Roar Guru
I understand your hurt, very well expressed and I am around the same age so I can relate to growing up with these players at the forefront. Their actions have been dumb and without respect, and I'm happy to move on from Warner and never see him play international cricket again. An astounding talent but one that can't represent our country anymore. However I feel that Smith deserves forgiveness, as does Bancroft. Warner was the ringleader, not the others, and although they were apart of terrible act their press conferences and seeing Smith walk through Jo'burg Airport like a criminal is wrong. Forgiveness is important, and I'm looking forward to Smith's return.
Peter Forde
Roar Rookie
You will be very welcome to do that, Nicholas. I was equally impressed by 'Noah's' comment. peter@paradime.info
Barry Richards
Guest
All depends if your government does a Mugabe though
Barry Richards
Guest
Did Du Plessis apologise and atone for his ball tampering - caught and fined twice- What schools did he go to and preach what your saying - none I suggest. why are you posting your email address?
Noah
Guest
I originally thought Jose was good but now he has become a bit stale I feel that we dont have a very good attack at the moment. Lukaku hasn't been great so I think that its the safest option at the moment.
Nicholas Wilson
Roar Rookie
Noah, its seems as though we are on the same wavelength as each other and I'm glad to hear that someone my age shares the similars opinions. One question though, as a Man United fan do you enjoy Jose's defensive style of play or do you feel as though he is wasting our attacking potential?
Nicholas Wilson
Roar Rookie
Peter, thanks for the support. I'll be contacting you soon
Noah
Guest
Peter, I am also a 16 year old and I can see amongst my friends the steady eroding of what is good in this world. Things they find funny I found horrific. I have seen amongst them that they are like leaves going with the wind. They just leave their last hero for the new guy and look to T20 for instant gratification. Long have I fought to maintain Test Cricket's supremacy. I seem to be the only 16 year old who follows Australia through thick and thin and stick by my guys no matter what. As a 16 year old I admire your generation and what they stood for. It seems that today, instant gratification is number 1
Noah
Guest
Can I say that we are very very similar in just about every aspect including age and favourite soccer club. I live in rural Victoria rather then NSW but it is similar. I have felt the same pain during this time and I haven't quite got the same feelings for Smith but if Peter Handscomb or my other favourite Renshaw were to do this I know exactly how you feel. Seems like Cricket has the same meaning for us country boys.
To succumb to temptation is to err. I still live in RSA, will never leave.
Peter Forde
Roar Rookie
Nicholas, for an 'old man' like me it's almost embarrassing - the arrogance and assumed superiority demonstrated in some of the 'adult' (hahahaha!) comments directed at you. Fortunately you are demonstrably smart enough to blow the chaff away from the good wheat! peter@paradime.info
Peter Forde
Roar Rookie
Nicholas, if I may offer this recommendation: First, make a judgment of whose perspective is best embraced - by reading my two comments and comparing them to to 'Brand6's' comments. Then, decide whose 'guideline' you would be best off following. If you decide it would be mine, then I'll 'guide' you as follows: Ignore Brand6's comments - especially the spurious arrogance and insinuated insult with which he has treated you. At age 71 I am totally qualified to say that I KNOW you are, especially given your age - awesome! peter@paradime.info
Peter Forde
Roar Rookie
'Biltongbek' is, like myself and ex-South African. But, apart from liking biltong, that's probably where similarities end. Although 'to err IS human (and fogiveness is Divine)" sensible judgment of erring must prevail. It's one thing if the error is accidental or inadvertent. Something else entirely if the so-called 'error' is in fact a deliberate, planned action. We might err in handing out the wrong change when working as a teller. A different money transaction - such as robbing a bank - is no 'error.' Smith and Warner (and others?) did absolutely not 'err.' They deliberately cheated and in the process have done massive damage to not only cricket and sport - but also to Australia's world-wide image. And broken the hearts of many. When egregious and deliberate wrongdoing goes insufficiently punished then that might motivate others to 'try their luck' to see if they can 'get away with it.' At this time Smith and Warner's cheating is ..... unforgiveable. Why? Because they MUST first do two things to 'earn' forgiveness. 1 - Genuinely apologise. 2 - Genuinely atone. Thus far (6pm 29/03/2018) neither have done either. Assuming they, at some point, genuinely apologise, I would suggest they be required to tour - unpaid ! - schools and give children talks on the terrible consequences of lying, cheating and general dishonesty. That would serve to help save our civilisation that they have so seriously offended. Such action would also represent genuine atonement. Then - and only then - can we the (mostly!) decent start discussing the when and how of 'forgiving' .... peter@paradime.info
Barry Richards
Guest
what bunkum banned for life for what - you have done nothing wrong yourself - mmm been caught speeding and if so you should be banned for life from driving in that case