We heard the words ‘apologise’ and ‘sorry’ numerous times from David Warner yesterday, but apart from emphasising his contrition, we learnt little more – in fact, if anything, we ended up with the situation being even more muddied.
From Warner’s opening statement through to the questions he fielded he wanted to make clear that he takes personal responsibility for what occurred on Day 3 of the Newlands Test. Personal responsibility, that is, for his part, something he repeatedly stressed.
Beyond that, specifics were thin on the ground if not non-existent.
Two questions in particular will be causing concern for Cricket Australia (CA):
First, when asked to say ‘hand on heart’ that it was only himself, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft who aware of what was unfolding that day at Newlands, he refused to answer.
It gives the impression that he believes the sphere of knowledge extends beyond that circle.
Both Smith and CA CEO James Sutherland – through the investigation conducted in South Africa by CA’s integrity officer – adamantly deny anyone else having knowledge prior to and during the event.
Second, when asked if he had been part of any other ball-tampering plots, Warner again refused to directly respond to the question.
Two days earlier Smith vehemently denied that any other ball tampering had occurred under his leadership.
Warner’s answers suggest a man who is keeping his powder dry for another time, and that time may play out in two ways: through an appeal on the severity of his suspension or a highly paid media ‘tell-all’ interview. It may end up being both.
(Paul Kane – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)
Bancroft has already signalled that he will challenge the length of his ban. Warner has until Thursday to decide whether he will take the same path.
Warner was certainly under no obligation to speak openly and candidly at his media conference – on the contrary, he was likely advised by legal counsel to evade any open responses.
There have been lies told already in this saga, none more so than the fact that the yellow tape became sandpaper under further scrutiny. If in future Warner provides answers to the above questions with a candour that exposes further lies, it will be another dagger to the heart of the sport.
Warner spoke several times about the Australian cricket team being his “family”. That family is currently highly dysfunctional.
Aside from likely appeals, Cricket Australia will be conducting its internal review, which will be charged with the task of investigating the culture of the Australian team.
While the reputation of the sport received a massive backhander in Cape Town, it came in the wake of a steady decline in standards in regard to the way the team goes about its cricket. The boorish on-field behaviour increasingly attracted both negative headlines and feedback on social media.
(Independent Media screenshot)
Much of the gleeful reaction from the rest of the cricketing world to the plight Australia now faces is predicated on what many see as an arrogant and anti-social team getting its comeuppance.
Twenty-four hours after denying he would step down as coach, Darren Lehmann backflipped and did just that. It came in part as a reaction to seeing the despair and desperation on the faces of Smith and Bancroft when they faced the music back in Australia.
Lehmann admitted that Australia has to change its ways, a point no-one would dispute. Why it took this final ignominy to ram home the message is another matter.
Another coach will be charged with the responsibility of reshaping how the team goes about its cricket, but who will that coach be answerable to?
Sutherland has been in the CEO’s chair at CA’s Jolimont headquarters for 17 years. Excepting organisations – like News Limited – where the boss is also the owner, such tenures are extremely rare.
(Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
While the financial standing of CA has improved – although it is headed for a hit – under Sutherland’s stewardship, the erosion of standards within the ranks that culminated in the Newlands fiasco is a massive black mark.
It is time fresh eyes were brought to bear.
If Sutherland is in situ post-review, it will do little to assuage the currently disenchanted fans. The same can be said for high-performance manager Pat Howard.
An alienating figure from the time of his appointment, the team’s efforts of late smack on anything but high performance. Howard must be held responsible in part for the current parlous state.
Warner mentioned during his media conference that he held a “tiny ray of hope” that he may one day make it back into international cricket. If he ever does – and the chances seem extremely remote – the team he rejoins will need to be a vastly different one to that which has plummeted back to earth in the past week.
There is still much water to flow under the bridge for all concerned, and currently that water is a very muddied brown.
Johnno
Guest
exactly, any decent level of cricket the whole team is in on it. I don't buy either darren lehmann didn't know. He may of said what are ya doing, as in don't get caught. Darren lehmann is an ex player to he knows about this stuff. I don't buy for one minute he did;t know. The first review about this was rushed anyway and overseas, you wait once the aussie team get back, over the next month or so there's gonna be a whole lot more to this sorry saga, and more than 3 were involved..
beepee
Guest
Johnno - my mates and I were talking about this exact thing a few days ago, and I tend to agree with you. In almost any level of decent cricket, the whole team is aware of the bowling plan, and what to do with the ball. Do the bowlers want it kept shiny as long as possible, do they want the shine off. Will the spinners be doing a lot of bowling with the old ball, etc. The keeper, for example, sees the ball 3-4 times an over, and would notice any marked and unusual deterioration in its condition that he was not expecting. Similarly, for the slips, who are pretty close to that action. And surely the bowlers would have to be aware of the general plan, since their bowling would have to be aligned with it. In other words, a bowler's plan for a particular spell/batsmen, etc could be rendered useless if certain fielders were doing the opposite to what he is expecting with the ball.
Nigel
Guest
I agree completely re Pat Howard.
DavSA
Guest
Fanie ? Is that "Vinnige "Fanie De Villiers Ouch . Sorry but I have not of late paid any more attention to this fiasco. I would however find that hard to believe . He is not a central figure in SA cricket at all. I am going to throw this out there controversially of course . .....Is there a shred of possibility that it came from within the Aussie dressing room . I know it sounds totally daft but subsequent events have shown them to be quite a fractured team especially with regards Warner . Logically however it almost certainly imo came from within the SA dressing room. There has been seriously bad blood between these 2 teams this series. We must not allow this to recur again. It discredits a rivalry that both countries should admire.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Where to now? Nowhere (unless more players are found). The players see out their suspensions and if form warrants they get back into the state and national teams. On strict behavioural conditions. The only thing now is to lobby the ICC for this type of sanction to be the base sanction for a first offence, rather than the complete absence of real deterrence in the existing ICC rules.
Ouch
Guest
Heard it was Fanie who tipped them off
DavSA
Guest
The cameramen were tipped off and watched virtually every player finally singling out Bancroft for scrutiny. Would be super interesting to know who whispered in their ears. This series started off with such promise. The international cricket loving public have been given a raw deal. I for one who live a short drive to The Wanderers would definitely have made an effort to attend today but have decided to give the match a miss.
Dave.sa
Guest
Greetings from Cape Town. I too have had enough of this incident . I want to read more about cricket. I also think the CA ban is too long given that I don’t believe it was only 3 involved.. If I was the 3 I would appeal the sentence, mount an impassioned ... forgive me defense ...and ask for a reduction. Then, if successful be really well behaved and play grade cricket etc... during the remaining ban. Our own SA media seems to be just reporting what Aus media writes..and only a fraction of it.. My only point of irritation is the ongoing deflection - the Saffers were me a to Davie so he did it -does anyone believe that this was the 1st time.. this series - pointing to others - well the ICC was pretty consistent in the penalties.. so this is on CA .. let’s not blame the Saffers again. - not all tampering is the same. Slapping someone with a glove or a baseball bat is not the same Where I do ping the ICC is that the range of penalties available to the Match referee.. Swearing gets you into more trouble than tampering.. Depending on the degree... the match ref should be able to dish out bigger penalties.. Then CA wouldn’t feel the need to step in.. But back to the cricket... and I hope they appeal
Dave.sa
Guest
I think Fanie is trying to self-publicise.. The production team and in particular the cameramen worked hard. They knew something was up.. It shows it is damn hard to spot even wi5( professional cameramen looking for it
Verisimilitude
Guest
Glenn love your piece. Ties up the whole saga quiet nicely. The ball is in Cricket Australia's court. Like or dislike the responses from the three if we give them the credit of the doubt that they will play by CA's rules and support any further investigation without prejudicing their responses in press conferences to date. It is absolutely on CA to provide the public the answers to all of those hot questions once they have followed due process and ideally INDEPENDENT investigation of the incident and the ramifications of whether as may be implied this was the isolated incident we sincerely hope that it was.
Lroy
Guest
I think CA have handled this perfectly. Ball tampering is a blight on the game and needs to be stamped out. CA have set an example to the ICC, tamper with the ball, mandatory 12 months suspension...regardless of who you are..no excuses.
Marlin
Guest
I don't quite understand why 'they', Warner himself, the coach, an officer from CA or the lady herself, remove Mrs Warner from the ground. And the kids? Why go through that rubbish? The more you think about the whole saga the weirder it gets...
Gav
Guest
Glen, I apologise in part. Your article presents in a more balanced manner having re read, and removed my jerking knee. What offends my sensitivities? "We heard the word apologise........ situation being even more muddied" The media have driven this story to the beat of their own drum, the pressure applied aimed at creating some sort of horror reality TV show. Clearly there are situations and issues that David can't discuss right now, and he is doing everything in his power to operate within the framework Cricket Australia and legal due process dictates. He obviously wants to play cricket again and can see he maybe made the scapegoat for the entire episode. You are right. He should not have taken questions. Nor should Roxy whatsherface have been sitting next to Candice. It only inflames things. And yet the media continue to try to break these guys. In the case of the Warners, a family that have been subjected to extreme stress for an extended period of time. Distasteful !
Johnno
Guest
Correct both teams I reckon were. How could the bowlers in these sides not know or have input on a ball they were bowling with. They absolutely were involved in the strategy as they were the ones capable of doing the swing on the ball so yes the bowlers in both those england and south african sides had input, they just were not caught and players in these sides didn't dob in, so correct a cover up.. And wicket keepers absolutely know what's going on with a ball as they have to position themselves behind the stumps and work tactics with there bowlers. So it won't surprise me if more players in this OZ team are outed if the gang of 3 dob em in...
bazza200
Roar Rookie
Easy he said he did it n he's sorry that's all.
shirtpants
Roar Guru
A lot of people tamper in some way, shape or form. Surprised? Of course Warner wasn't going to answer the questions he avoided.
michael steel
Guest
Thanks very much Ouch.
jamesb
Guest
Well if that's the case, when Mike Atherton ball tampered, the whole English team knew. When FAF did the same, the whole South African team was aware as well.
vikdodiya@gmail.com
Guest
Do I know cricket. 3batsman doing it .. No bowlers involved,? sorry
Johnno
Guest
He was saying in general, that in any cricket side he's ever been in everyone knows about the tactics of the team and the bowlers have always been aware of what's been going on with the ball. I trust that as accurate coming from a former test wicket keeper, who would certainly know about the shady stuff about what goes on with a cricket ball..