Steve Smith said 'Im embarrassed to be sitting here talking about this' He's not embarrassed it happened. He's embarrassed they got caught doing it. Stuart Broad in his interview after play finished in NZ basically suggested he presumes they did similarly in Ashes just without getting caught
I noticed how Smith expressed it as well....no real regret which does suggest that it may have happened before. He's embarrassed that they were amateur enough to get caught. The only proviso about the whole thing is we must be careful not to look holier than thou, because something might come out in the wash reflecting badly on us. Not saying I know anything, but people start throwing mud when cornered.
Reports suggesting that CA will announce tomorrow evening (UK time) that Smith is to receive a 12 month international ban. As well as, obviously, losing the captaincy. It'll be interesting if they go a step further, and also retract his No Objection Certificate (such that he wouldn't be able to play domestic cricket abroad either, including the IPL next month). Similar with Warner, but a 6 month ban.
Smith has stepped down as captain of the Rajahstan Royals IPL team: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/43539535 The career of the golden boy of Australian cricket is going down the tubes in a big way.
I'd imagine Warner gets the same punishment. The biggest loser will be Bancroft though who was clearly pressured by the more senior players into doing it and, being the least "name" of the three will probably never play for Australia again.
What’s interesting is that none of the players banned are bowlers. It’s inconceivable that no senior bowler like Starc or Hazlewood was involved in the plot, as they would be the ones to get the immediate benefit from the reversing ball. Smith & Warner are obviously protecting their co-conspirators but the truth is bound to come out eventually.
Ball tampering is so dodgy and a grey area anyway. Every team does it, not to the extent the Australians did, but there is a reason they are sucking sweets in the field and spitting constantly on the ball, it is like it is fine to do it one way but not the other which seems strange to me.
Bancroft reportedly banned for 9 months. Reminds me of the spot fixing case where a youngster just starting out in his career was encouraged to be involved by very senior players. That's the trouble when rot starts....it becomes acceptable and spreads through a team. Other cricketers seem to believe they all knew....as one said, you wouldn't change the ball without other bowlers and the fielders knowing. And another said that the Aussies are known for wearing a lot of tape on their fingers. One reason why I feel uncomfortable about being too smug about it...you never know what will come out. Shows how you mustn't allow small infringements because the canker spreads. Perhaps this is a valuable lesson.
So in summary: Smith - 12 month ban, additional 12 month “team leadership” ban Bancroft - 9 month ban, additional 12 month “team leadership” ban Warner - 12 month ban and “will not be considered for team leadership positions in the future”. I also find it hard to believe the bowlers didn’t know. The first thing you do as a pace bowler is look at the condition of the ball. How else do you predict how it will swing etc. However if they weren’t involved in the tampering itself it’s hard to say what they should do. They can obviously argue against doing it at all but ultimately if the captain decides it will be done then what can they do? You can’t seriously expect them to report their own team mates to the umpires.
I find Lehmann's comments odd....not because he shows sympathy for the 3....after all, I'm sure we would stick with friends if they did something foolish, but that he appears to think that they are the injured party. I'm not one of the hang 'em high group (he who is without sin etc)....they've been caught out, humiliated, punished and made an example of, but should be allowed to continue to earn their living in cricket after their suspensions are over. However, Lehmann seems to praise them for admitting what they'd done.....does he think they would have done that if not caught....and would they have never done it again if their ploy had been successful?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/43592681 England started poorly being 94-5 at one point, but finished on 290-8. Bairstow 98 not out. Strange that it wasn't that long ago that England rugby union and cricket teams were firing, but have now slumped badly....temporarily we hope.
The only one I have any sympathy for is Bancroft . Clarke summed it up for me when he said as Captain , Never ask someone to do something you are not prepared to do yourself . Warner us a thug , Smith is a gutless clown , and I reserve most of my Venom for Lehman . Crucified Broad for not waking . Broad did not actually break any rules , but his Golden boys took a pre-meditaed decision , and got a junior member of the squad to do their dirty work for them ? **** em .
