As the furore of the Australian ball tampering saga reaches a crescendo the brave ramifications handed out by Cricket Australia has shaken the game to its foundations for their severity.
There is a mixed response from cricket followers worldwide many who question the lengthy periods on the sidelines for at least two of their best cricketers on the planet. Others say it is the best thing to happen if the game is to be rid of cheats who bring the game into disrepute.
Cricket over the years and administrators including the world governing ICC have been accused of double standards depending who is in the firing line. And the ICC’s continued slap on the wrists punishment in this instance has been viewed as another attempt to look at things from a marketing perspective rather than one that maintains the game’s integrity.
Whatever the circumstances that are considered before punishment for misdeeds is handed down it is in the vital interest of the game that the administrators have a control of any situation without fear or favour or their lack of it will only diminish interest and following by the general public who are the ultimate sources of income to its survival.
As the findings and interviews have now been completed by the banished trio from South Africa there is still a lingering hostile reaction to David Warner’s stubborn mentality and refusal to admit that he may have been the mastermind if the dastardly act.
When the wind blows over the whole sorry episode and calm is restored, Australia will always be viewed with a questioning eye by cricket followers worldwide and the shame of it will never go away.
(Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
But what needs to happen in the interim is the need for forgiveness and support to Smith and Bancroft in particular as they negotiate the ramifications of a silly mistake that has magnified their immaturity and shortsightedness in the events of day three at Newlands.
The shattered and broken Australian former skipper is in dire need of counselling for a period as he collects the pieces of a destroyed reputation and tragically, when he was in the midst of plaudits from around the globe for his magnificent performances with the bat that has him rated as the number one in Test cricket. His actions since gaining captaincy has been questioned on more than one occasion in India and a few other occasions.
But Cricket Australia were steadfast in their defence of him instead of reining in what has now become the biggest scandal the game has witnessed and turned a tide of opinion against the team from the Prime Minister to other former players who donned the baggy green with distinction.
The fierce rivalry between the two nations is another case in point where the history of current South African skipper Faf Du Plessis who was sprung twice and shamed for similar ball abuse and Vernon Philander once, was always going to be a ‘get even’ thing if the Aussies dared to overstep the rules governing the game. And, shamefully and foolishly they did.
It is rumoured that there will be appeals against the lengthy bans imposed on them. But appealing will be foolish if they expect to rush back into a game they have brought into disrepute not just for themselves but the country as well.
Riding the crest of a wave as a brilliant batsman and leader despite many questioning his immaturity when selected to lead Australia, Steve Smith has proved that his style of thinking outside the box does not necessarily apply to methods of winning which led to his downfall.
This, in a country brimming with talent and unlike many other nations, never needing to look far for handy replacements.
(AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)
What now needs to happen is for Australia to re-evaluate their style and intimidator approach which has been the instigator of personal exchanges between them and their opponents leading to the desperate mindset to win at all costs.
Cricket Australia can take credit for the severity of the bans they have imposed and try to recapture the faith and respect of the rest of the world which up to now have regarded Australia as the benchmark for all things cricket for many decades.
Bakkies
Guest
Not long it will be perfectly acceptable in a series against India. The ACB for goodness sake please put out 2013/14 Ashes style pitches for the series.
Bakkies
Guest
Thommo is right though. Here's why: 1. Whatever hope Warner has of playing for Australia again will be gone 2. Like KP he will have to spend a fortune on lawyers to get certain things written 3. How do we know if it is credible and not just words from a bitter soon to be ex player 4. The chances of him repairing relationships with players in the squad will be very remote which goes beyond Cricket as you don't want to be in retirement alienated for good. 5. It is not really excepting responsibility
Bakkies
Guest
Warner won't have the patience and how would we know he is credible? So much towards lawyers to cover his tracks ten of course the publishers get a cut.
Grafter
Roar Rookie
Absolutely spot on.Agree bans are too long, but from a CA perspective and legal challenge, couldn't they just rescind the bans and say "BUT we are not going to pick you to play for Australia for x amount of time/matches" Do your time playing club and shield and if you are in form when x has past you will be deemed available if selected.
Grafter
Roar Rookie
Absolutely spot on.
Jacko
Guest
I guess Thompson must think its Australian to let your mate take all the blame as he certainly isnt advocating his team mates come out and tell the truth is he. With words like that from Thompson it makes you wonder if Marsh and Lilly wernt the only players backing the poms to win that test match a long time ago
Jacko
Guest
The penalties were rediculis...simple....Smith, Warner and bancroft should refer the decision to the third umpire and let the DRS decide. The media created an impossible situation for the ACB and they were too gutless to make their stand.....Warner needs to write the book and publish it....Im sure someone will pay big $$$ for it to be written and lets face it...He will never play for Aus again under this current administration
Jacko
Guest
just put the book on hold for a few years then expose all the truth
Olivers Wrist
Guest
Olivers Wrist
Guest
Absolute ripper. Short guy syndrome x 100.
Olivers Wrist
Guest
"What now needs to happen is for Australia to re-evaluate their style and intimidator approach which has been the instigator of personal exchanges between them and their opponents leading to the desperate mindset to win at all costs." How long does anyone reckon this would last.
Bakkies
Guest
' they have already been penalised by the ICC. With the CA sanctions I would see it being tried twice for the same crime. And that would not stand up to judicial scrutiny, would it?' The ICC penalty isn't relevant to the ACB's code of conduct breaches. In Football there have been cases where players have been punished by their club after being suspended and/or fined by the FA.
Bakkies
Guest
Christine Matthews the WACA CEO said Bancroft will need dispensation to play Grade Cricket as a suspension from State or International Crickets also bans you from playing for your club. She raised the Nathan Coulter Nile case.
Bakkies
Guest
It is a lesson to young players too. If you want to try and cut corners which is what ball tampering essentially is you will be caught and banned.
Bakkies
Guest
Well I suppose Thommo is saying if you want to play for Australia don't write a book or do a tv interview. KP is a good case in point.
Not a fan of Warner myself either, thinks he needs to be brought down a step or two, but putting him in front of a mirror with Victor Matfield next to him would be equally as effective as a twelve month ban in my opinion.
Yeah you are, thanks. I am referring to those who suggest I don't understand the issues
Yeah, its a bit crude and more expressive in Afrikaans ☺️
riddler
Guest
suspensions are tough but i am fine with them. personal bias.. very happy for warner to never be seen in the green and gold again.. a very bad egg.. can give it but really can't take it.. jonathan trott probably made the tweet of tweets for this whole affair.. smith unsure of as well.. great player.. but moral compass is lacking and bancroft should have know better.. he is not a kid for pete's sake.. he is 25.. the majority of us at that age have mortgages, responsibilities, positions of leadership etc.. saying he was a kid is taking the mickey.. let's move on from those 3 and see who puts their hand up and yes we are disliked throughout the world.. and that is for a reason.. some of you might not mind.. and there in lies the crux of this problem and that has reared its head.. our arrogance thinks we can do what we like.. till we get caught... then we blubb on tv.. truly pathetic..
CHUCKED
Guest
Bad Losers AND Bad winners - case in Point Limited overs World Cup a few years back - Brad Haddin anyone?