How did it get to this?
Our captain is a broken man. Nobody else can feel his pain, but the harrowing vision was there for all to see. The Australian cricket and mainstream media must accept a lot of the responsibility.
A proper journalist would seek to find the truth behind the story. In doing so, a proper journalist should retain their independence, their balance, and, importantly, their sense of perspective.
Instead, what has transpired over the last six days is a heaving pack of both cricket and non-cricket journalists expressing forthright and extreme opinions on the fate of three Australian Test cricketers.
From those who may have driven past a suburban cricket ground once to those who owe their livelihood to it, everyone was trying to be more outraged than the one before. Social media, not surprisingly, gave these people a voice and off we went.
I hope those people cherished their Facebook likes and their retweets as they watched our captain at his press conference upon arrival in Sydney on Thursday evening.
The facts appear to have been largely established. Three Australian Test cricketers made a very poor choice. There was a plan. It was a bad plan. Sandpaper was involved. They confessed (how couldn’t they?). Suspensions were doled out. The coach resigned.
The ‘everyone-does-it’ argument rightfully holds no water. The ‘all-who-get-caught-doing-it-deserve-the-same-punishment’ argument certainly does.
The facts extend beyond the act itself and to the punishment meted out for prior ball tampering incidents. The extent and nature of the recommended punishment spewing from cricket and non-cricket journalists was mind-blowing. I didn’t see death-by firing-squad but I may have missed it.
Non-cricket journalists either didn’t know or chose not to know about these prior incidents. The cricket journalists, however, are obliged to know.
If the cricket media was doing its job, they might have discovered and widely reported that in 1994, England’s captain Michael Atherton incurred a 2,000 pound fine for ball tampering, served a zero-match suspension and was awarded an OBE three years later.
They might have discovered and widely reported that in 2001, India’s Sachin Tendulkar was handed a suspended one-Test ban for ball tampering while also being fined 75 per cent of his match fee. Tendulkar is a cricketing demi-god.
They might have discovered and widely reported that in 2013 and in 2016 (as captain), South Africa’s Faf du Plessis was found guilty of ball tampering and was fined 50 per cent and 100 per cent of his match fee, respectively. He missed no matches and is still the South African captain.
Each of these acts was as premeditated as the sandpaper in Cape Town. Atherton putting dirt in his pocket and then on the ball? Premeditated. Du Plessis rubbing a ball on a zip or applying sugary saliva to a ball? Premeditated. Tendulkar picking the ball’s seam? Premeditated.
Of course, there are other examples of modest punishments for ball tampering. Yet, through all the hysteria and bone-headed calls for life bans, there was very little media coverage of these precedent punishments.
Social media then kicked in and the kangaroo court of public opinion handed down its ruling. Under the circumstances, Cricket Australia’s only option was to go hard.
Ultimately, the media failed to do their job. The consequence of the abrogation of their responsibility was laid bare in our captain’s when he touched down in Sydney
There’s no hiding behind the national interest on this one.
Robin
Guest
Looking at it from afar your Australian politicians were not slow in coming forward with the lambasting of these players. Sorry but no amount of tears, drivelling snot and the likes will make me think it is nothing but self-pity from these players. But having said that I hope there is now a time of quiet away from the prying eyes of the media for these players to try and get over this.
craig
Guest
Well said Junior, I don't think any of us believe this was a quality piece of Australian sportsmanship let alone from the captain and vice captain. As is said to have an affair that is french, to get caught that is American. That said I do find it a joke that the very cricketers who created the hatred towards Australian cricket the so called golden generation of players from Waugh through Ponting's leadership famed for being bad losers and worse winners are the ones dolling out the comments. An hour of true volume pitch microphones from the players who took pride in mentally destroying opponents, only to see them leave tours and seek mental help, should be the last to lay blame on these 3. There was a good article I read on facebook today talking about are these people really the shame of Australian sport against Matt Lodge and various other league, union and AFL players known to have beaten their wives partners or just general people in the street who happened to be in the way of their alcohol fuelled rage. For mine the officials have tried to take a high and mighty position to somehow re state Australia's cricket position as the gold standard of the game when it has not been that for 50 years if ever.... I believe the suspensions should be revised to 3 months for Bancroft, 6 months for Smith (on the basis of stupidity) and Warner should be 9 months (revised down on the circumstances that related to the tour). Funnily I was just watching the NZ vs England test, the Kiwi spinner came on spat on his hands and rubbed them on the pitch then went pack to his position working the ball, can someone tell me how much difference this dirt on the ball would make change vs the sandpaper.....
christos sintos
Roar Rookie
well, what they did was not a "poor choice" or a "bad idea" as the author suggests...eating heavily before going to bed is a let's say "bad choice"...what they did was more than that, what they did was UNETHICAL ΑΝD CHEATING. their punishments are just fine...what was/is not fine in the cricket world were the minor punishments and prestige those athertons and duPlessis got. We should ask for heavier punishments for all them cheaters, instead of trying to get smith and co off the hook cos the Saffas did so as well
Grafter
Roar Rookie
Well written Junior. About time this has been called for what it is and the media held responsible for their exaggerated, sanctimonious and at times misleading reporting. The mainstream cricket journalists are the ones whom i hope feel the wrath of the current players in this situation. I would love the Australian Cricket team to ban conversations with certain reporters from this point forward based on their representation of facts during this past week.
Grafter
Roar Rookie
Cooling off period is key.
W G GRACE
Guest
Don't know why the convict colonial press and public are baying for blood and further blood from these 3 players. What is done is done and why continue on with it. - It really was a minor issue and this is reflected in the ICC Code of conduct breaches - level 2 - 75to 1005 match fee fine and or 1 test ban or 2 ODI`s. About time the actions of press and broadcasters are investigated in such matters - the holier than thou attitude of those from this grubby industry should make people sick to their stomachs. The bans were grossly over the top and one has to wonder why the CA CEO still has their job- when the coach fell on his sword as they say and the 3 players very are unlikely to play any international cricket till 2020 if at all.
jarijari
Guest
Pure, unexpurgated, consummate drivel.
Malo
Guest
They are a laughing stock, please the tears and all, the barmy army were going off in Bondi junction last night having a ball and singing. Ya can’t go from tough sledges to cry babies, it doesn’t work. I hope Warner tells the CA to F off and get the lawyers.
AJ
Guest
I think it certainly deserved more response than the usual slap on the wrist from the ICC which is the reason why players still do it. But it really is a lynch mob mentality from the media/social media. How many have softened their stance on this now, a week later. I certainly have. Everyone is running scared of the lynch mob, the sponsors, politicians (they know the sound of the guillotine better than most), cricket australia who are scared of the sponsors....they have to take a position and say something or there will be the "xyz is very quiet about all of this, that means he's guilty too or he doesnt care and is treating us with contempt" outrage from the mob. There needs to be a cooling off period on these blow ups.
Mike Dugg
Guest
Consequences for ones actions. Steve learnt a good lesson. Don't take a privileged position for granted
Ben
Guest
They confessed....well sort of...lied on tv.....who really believed it was sticky tape with granules of dirt?