Often it is the attempt to cover up that hurts people more than the original wrong.
Cameron Bancroft not only decided to cheat, but he then hid the sandpaper, turned out empty pockets to the umpires knowing that the sandpaper was in his pants, and told the assembled media that that it was tape not sandpaper.
Steve Smith sat next to him through the press conference - did he know Bancroft was lying about the tape/sandpaper? He must have known that by then? If so he was complicit in that lie. And what was that mealy mouthed nonsense about 'members (plural) of the senior leadership team' discussing the plan to cheat. He is now saying it was just Warner instructing Bancroft and that he turned a blind eye.
Warner - say no more.
Does anyone seriously believe that in a tight-knit group on tour where the senior players and coaches spend hours analysing things and discussing selection, what to do if the toss is won etc a decision to tamper with the ball wasn't discussed more widely?
The odd thing is that all teams push the boundaries with the condition of the ball and many fine players have been found to have gone too far. The way the Aussies have handled the whole affair has just allowed it to spiral out of control as a story. The way their players choose to play the game, it couldn't happen to a nicer bunch.
Ball tampering and sandpaper in cricket. It's so wrong on many levels. Good job it doesn't happen in football. The football referee makes sure about that. Ball size and correct pressure etc. Law 2 covers that one, I think.
Ball tampering and sandpaper in cricket. It's so wrong on many levels. Good job it doesn't happen in football. The football referee makes sure about that. Ball size and correct pressure etc. Law 2 covers that one, I think.
Ball tampering and sandpaper in cricket. It's so wrong on many levels. Good job it doesn't happen in football. The football referee makes sure about that. Ball size and correct pressure etc. Law 2 covers that one, I think.
Thanks for that.
That's okay. I wasn't going to respond to the OP as I'm currently being tested by an American chess player on another site. I could have posted a photo of Vinnie Jones squeezing Paul Gascoigne's gonads during a game many moons ago. But then I thought that would have been off topic in relation to the recent ball tampering incident in cricket.
Smiler - I'll come clean for starters - I'm a fully fledged English bloke but I also hold Aussie citizenship. This ball tampering saga is a symptom of how far the Aussie Cricket side have become detached from normality and, importantly, their public back in Aus. If you need an indication of how the general Australian public feel about this affair, have a look on the pages of the Sydney Morning Herald or ABC News - the criticism is scathing without exception.
Smith's problem is his naivety and stupidity. He was fully aware of what Bancroft was up to (apparently, it was instigated by Warner and he persuaded Bancroft to do the deed - Smith overheard the conversation and became involved but did not veto it). For such experienced cricketers to think that they could get away with such an obvious act when the game was covered by up to 30 cameras beggars belief. For them to then lie and suggest firstly that it didn't happen, and secondly that it did happen but that it was tape, was incredulous. I would take some convincing that Lehmann wasn't fully aware of what was happening also - the fact that he has now resigned probably points to a guilty conscience.
Unfortunately, Smith's ban ends before the next Ashes series back here in UK. He is without doubt an extraordinarily talented batsman. Sadly for him, he doesn't have the brain to match. Whether he comes back as good, stronger or weaker, only time will tell. One thing is for sure, the English public will not have forgotten this saga when they walk out for every match of the next Ashes series!
I've emailed my Aussie buddies suggesting that the right thing would be to hand the Ashes back to us on the basis that this cheating was almost certainly present during the last series. I've had one response. However, I'm not convinced that we would have won the last Ashes even if we'd had access to an angle grinder!!
I've a feeling this will be Australia's version of the day when Paulo De Canio pushed the referee over and Wednesday have been in progressive decline ever since. Good.
What a strange response T71? Nobody dies doing anything we talk about on this board but it doesn't stop us discussing it or finding it interesting!
I agree point of this board is difference of opinions. I just think there's important things in life than ball tampering. If we are talking cricket my main concern is England as a test side. Are we just one day or bash cricketers? We don't bat like test cricketers.
The best thing for me that came out of this, in terms of making me laugh... The Prime Minister was qouted as saying "This is the darkest day in Australia's history"
I was thinking, if that's true, that's a place I want to live, Lol..... :)
Had issues with "sledging" before these incidents of blatantly cheating. Cricket ( if nothing else) should be a gentlemans game and I can only stand it because of the English stereotype player.
But "sledging" is a disgrace imo. I would never participate in any such behaviour in any sport I played - simply refused to be drawn and let my performance be my voice.
-- Edited by Bornamiller on Saturday 31st of March 2018 05:45:52 PM
