Yesterday, we reported to you how Australian cricketer Cameron Bancroft was investigated by umpires for ball tampering. He was clearly recorded by the cameras while trying to work on the ball with a yellow object.
It was almost certain that the ball was tampered and later Australian Captain Steve Smith admitted that the action. He said-
“We spoke about it at Lunch and I’m not proud of it. It’s not within the spirit of the game, my integrity or the team’s integrity, the leadership group’s integrity has all come to question and rightly so. It’s not on and it certainly won’t happen again I can promise you that.”
The latest update is that Australian government has made an announcement to take Smith down from the position of Captain.
The Australian Prime Minister was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo-
“We all woke up this morning shocked and bitterly disappointed by the news from South Africa. It seemed completely beyond belief that the Australian cricket team had been involved in cheating.”
He further added-
“I’ve spoken with David Peever, the Chairman of Cricket Australia, a few moments ago and I’ve expressed to him very clearly and unequivocally my disappointment and my concern about the events in South Africa. It’s their responsibility to deal with it, but I have to say that (to) the whole nation, who holds those who wear the Baggy Green up on a pedestal, about as high as you can get in Australia this is a shocking disappointment. It’s wrong, and I look forward to Cricket Australia taking decisive action soon.”
John Wylie, the ASC Board and CEO spoke on behalf of the Australian government and demanded the removal of Steve Smith as the captain of the cricket team. The ASC statement read-
“The ASC condemns cheating of any form in sport. The ASC expects and requires that Australian teams and athletes demonstrate unimpeachable integrity in representing our country.”
It further added-
“Given the admission by Australian captain Steve Smith, the ASC calls for him to be stood down immediately by Cricket Australia, along with any other members of the team leadership group or coaching staff who had prior awareness of, or involvement in, the plan to tamper with the ball. This can occur while Cricket Australia completes a full investigation.”
Steven Smith and David Warner were later removed as Captain and Vice Captain of the Australian Cricketer team.
Breaking: Steven Smith and David Warner stood down as captain and vice-captain for this Test
Tim Paine to lead in Cape Town #SAvAUS
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 25, 2018
What are your thoughts on it?