Aussies Put World Cricket in Shame
Australia's ball tampering issues put world cricket in shambles
During the third day of the third Test in South Africa, Australia captain Steve Smith and teammate Cameron Bancroft were caught by the ICC for tampering with the cricket ball. Bancroft appeared to have taken out a piece of yellow tape in which he used in order to change condition of the ball by rubbing it on the tape. According to law 41 in the book of Wisdom, 'If the umpires agree that in the match there has been any further instance by that team of unfairly changing the condition of the ball, they shall repeat the procedure in 41.3.4.1 and 41.3.4.2.' 'If the further offence is committed by the fielding side, additionally the bowler’s end umpire shall direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend immediately from bowling the bowler who delivered the preceding ball; he/she shall not be allowed to bowl again in the match.'
41.3.5.2 - direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend immediately from bowling the bowler who delivered the preceding ball; he/she shall not be allowed to bowl again in the match.
41.3.5.2 - direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend immediately from bowling the bowler who delivered the preceding ball; he/she shall not be allowed to bowl again in the match.
This incident appeared to have been shown on camera and so the ICC along with Cricket Australia came to the conclusion to suspend the Australia captain and Bancroft for one test match following this incident.
"I have today let Cricket Australia know that I fully accept the sanctions imposed on me. I am truly sorry for my actions and will now do everything I can to be a better person, teammate and role model."
This is not the first time that cricket has witnessed this incident. Former Pakistani captain Inzamam Ul Haq was also accused ball tampering during a test match against England in 2006. Inzamam was banned from the firs four matches of the One Day series as a consequence of this crime.
This was a sad day for world cricket as the Australians were breaching the rues and not playing accordingly to sprit of the game. Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie hit out on Smith's side for their behaviour on the field "It's hard to think there isn't going to be a fall-out and a big change in personnel. It appears there's going to be some big changes on and off the field.'
This quote from Gillespie sums up the crisis in which Cricket Australia are now facing post the ball tampering incident. It will be interesting to see what step they will take post this incident.
Will Smith and Warner be stripped from captain and Vice-captain?
What direction will Warner's career take post this 12 month ban?
Will this also have an impact on Bancroft's career which has only just started?