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Ball-tampering: Steve Smith suspended for a Test, Cameron Bancroft handed 3 demerit pts [Update#677]

shebimalik said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Speed cameras are very sneaky nowadays..</p>— Cameron Bancroft (@cbancroft4) <a href="https://twitter.com/cbancroft4/status/381003767140716544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Cameras are not sneaky, bancroft is just too dumb to do it so blatantly
 
WildSwing said:
Cameras are not sneaky, bancroft is just too dumb to do it so blatantly
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Exactly. Ball tampering happens all the time by nearly every major team.

The trick is not to do it blatantly and then get caught.

Bancroft failed on both these points so should pay for it.
 
Visiting teams should be allowed to tamper the ball unless they are visiting Straya in which case they should man up. That's just not within the line mate.
 
This is getting even more weirder...Looks like there's another video out and it looks like Lehman is also involved, along with another Australian player that was using a walkie talkie.

This is a lot bigger than initially thought.
 
Listen to Nasser guys - he is ripping ICC (it's officials).

It's really surprising that ICC is appointing Broad, Boon ..... to discipline South Asian uncultured players from BD & SRL, while AUS V South Africa is refereed by Pycroft, A guy with few Internationals from ZIM. What is Javagal Srinath doing these days?
 
MMHS said:
Listen to Nasser guys - he is ripping ICC (it's officials).

It's really surprising that ICC is appointing Broad, Boon ..... to discipline South Asian uncultured players from BD & SRL, while AUS V South Africa is refereed by Pycroft, A guy with few Internationals from ZIM. What is Javagal Srinath doing these days?
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Yeah, listening to him now. He's 100% right too.
 
From a neutral fan's perspective this series has been a delight. This is watch test cricket needs, hard competitive in your face matches and not some 500+ score one sided run fest. Thank you SA and Aus for making this memorable.
 
sjahmed23 said:
From a neutral fan's perspective this series has been a delight. This is watch test cricket needs, hard competitive in your face matches and not some 500+ score one sided run fest. Thank you SA and Aus for making this memorable.
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Agreed even the India-SA series was great but this one is even better.. Keeps test cricket alive kudos to both team for the fighting spirit..
 
Convict said:
As I've always maintained here for a long time every team in club cricket onwards has a specialist ball tamperer. Bancroft is clearly not any good at it to get caught so blatantly.

Should have made Khawaja do it given the way he is batting.
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or because he is of Pakistani descent?
 
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.250%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/s/s8b7i/fhwxzx" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

This is the most damning footage. Lehman and co could be in massive trouble.
 
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Graeme Smith calling it as it should be that this came directly from Lehmann and Smith.
 
Time to revisit the brainfade episode?

Given the clinical and organized manner in which the whole australian team executed ball tampering, I feel it would be appropriate to revisit the infamous brainfade chapter.

A short recap of the events today should tell you guys how clinically the Smith & Lehman duo have been subverting the game of cricket.

A few overs before the cameras caught the sandpaper incident, Bancroft was on camera and he was heard telling one of his mates that 'they are watching me'.

Also, Smith was consistently throwing the ball to Bancroft after each delivery.

Next, this little scheme unraveled before the whole world, and a panicked Lehman got on his walkie-talkie and passed on the instruction to Handscomb. Handscomb informed Bancroft and he was seen shoving the yellow sandpaper down his crotch.

The umpires suspected funny business by this time and summoned bancroft and he produced a black colored piece of cloth (possibly a sleeve for his shades).

Call me a conspiracy theorist but it seems clear to me that this was a plan hatched at the highest level and the whole team was involved. And clearly this wasn't the first time they did it either.

Now recall that handscomb was also the man with Smith gesturing him to look at the pavilion during the brainfade episode. Recall also that Kohli and Co had stated on record that they watched the Australian team pull this stunt on quite a few occasion - of course the matter was buried and no further evidence was provided. In retrospect, it seems to me there was merit in that allegation.

Thoughts?
 
Could not be more blatant than that. And I have no hesitation in saying that if it was Pakistan or even India they would be absolutely crucified for this. Gotta make an example of the Aussies, and in particular their captain. There's no way that this could have happened without the captain/coach knowing.

This also makes me question the brainfade episode too in that series between the teams. This is blatant cheating and more importantly well organized cheating.
 
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Bancroft had admitted it, says he was scared when camera focused on him, so tried to hide the thing
 
Admitting an offence is easier when you're caught red-handed on camera, but the admissions Bancroft and Smith just made are extraordinary. They basically just said "We cheated and we intended to cheat, and we're sorry we got caught".
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">At the press conference Cameron Bancroft has admitted he used a tape to try and alter the condition of the ball. When he realised he was caught on camera he panicked and tried hiding it in his trousers <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/977587625858142211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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If smith isn't banned for this then ICC has no right to do take any action against any player for any future offense.
 
From Cricket Australia

Bancroft: I want to be here because I'm accountable for my actions. I've got to live with the consequences and the damage to my reputation #SAvAUS


Smith: It's a poor reflection on everyone in that dressing room. If we weren't caught, I'd still feel bad about it #SAvAUS


Smith says he's sorry for what has unfolded on day three #SAvAUS


"It won't happen ever again under my leadership" - Steve Smith #SAvAUS


Smith says it's the first time something like has happened under his leadership #SAvAUS


Smith: "The coaches weren't involved" #SAvAUS


Smith: "We spoke about it and thought it was a possible way to get an advantage." #SAvAUS


Steve Smith: 'The leadership group knew about it. I'm not proud of it." #SAvAUS


Bancroft: "Once I was sighted on the big screens I panicked quite a lot."

Confirms it was yellow tape used #SAvAUS

Cameron Bancroft: "We just had discussions with the match officials. I've been charged with attempting to change the condition of the ball" #SAvAUS
 
When kohli said brainfade was actually an organised and planned act which he saw Australia doing many times, he was called liar and frustrated because he couldn't score. What now? Still believing brainfade? Aussies are cheat.
 
Its always the first time after you are caught isn't it. Kohli was correct all along these aussies are cheats, funny how their DRS record has gone down the hill since kohli's comments.
 
I assume Smith will be charged too, seeing as he basically admitted that this was his idea and, he ordered his rookie player to do the deed.
 
Throw the book at them with all the force you can find. They aren't sorry it happened, they are just sorry they got caught. We wanted it a lot cause it was an important match is not an excuse. In fact it's worse cause this makes me question how many times they've done it in the past. Also can't help but think that Lehmann has a huge role to play here; I've seen the number of controversies go through the roof since he became the Aus coach.

As a Pakistani, I just want them to be brought to book. I know we'd have been absolutely slaughtered if we were the one's pulling this crap. Imagine the kind of **** the Aussie were getting away with when there were no Asian powers in world cricket.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Steve Smith says he's sorry for what has happened on day three & has said it won't happen ever again under his leadership. He says they spoke about it and thought it was a possible way to get an advantage & the leadership group knew about it <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/977590620670844928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
If there was an actual narco test in press conference, it would be going off the charts. Smith turning on his baby face in conference. Blatant systematic cheating. Cricket Australia should sack Smith and Lehmann.
 
MenInG said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Steve Smith says he's sorry for what has happened on day three & has said it won't happen ever again under his leadership. He says they spoke about it and thought it was a possible way to get an advantage & the leadership group knew about it <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/977590620670844928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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It is good to see him take responsibility. Could have easily brushed it off as Bancroft's idea.
 
BreadPakoda said:
5 runs penalty, anyone?
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Fact that it wasn't already done at Tea Break, exposes how Australia is getting special treatment from the ICC.

There is no excuse for letting the game go on without changing the ball. Umpires and Match Referee should also be punished.
 
BreadPakoda said:
It is good to see him take responsibility. Could have easily brushed it off as Bancroft's idea.
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I wouldn't go that far. It is quite clear after seeing the walkie-talkie video that the whole team was involved. In fact, for Smith to deny that Lehmann was also involved, is a clear lie.
 
I'll be waiting what CA does with Smith & Lehman - and what ICC does against CA.
 
Pathetic.

Smith should be banned for 3 tests.Bancroft for one test whileall other players should recieve a 40% fine.
 
I cannot believe Lehman didn't know about this. The video link I posted earlier showed him communicating with the sub that went on the field and told Bancroft he'd been caught on camera.

Also I can't believe Smith actually admitted to talking about tampering the ball. What an idiot :facepalm:
 
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MenInG said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">At the press conference Cameron Bancroft has admitted he used a tape to try and alter the condition of the ball. When he realised he was caught on camera he panicked and tried hiding it in his trousers <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/977587625858142211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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This was extremely badly done! Today Virat Kohli was vindicated in his cheating allegations against Smith. The punishment should not just be banning Bancroft but also Smith, the ‘leadership’ should not be allowed to get away so easily with this.
 
Princejain191 said:
If there was an actual narco test in press conference, it would be going off the charts. Smith turning on his baby face in conference. Blatant systematic cheating. Cricket Australia should sack Smith and Lehmann.
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It's funny the way the Aussie players start their sentences with "Aww look to be honest with you......" and then continue to lie through their teeth lol.
 
:))) :))) This can't be real. What a bunch of jokers.
Looks like my man was right all along :kohli
 
Whose the so called leadership group? No coaches involved then what other leader ship "group".
 
Cameron Bancroft and Australian captain Steve Smith have apologised after footage emerged of the former rubbing “yellow tape” on the ball before hiding the tape inside his trousers during the third day of the third Test between South Africa and Australia.

Bancroft also confirmed he has been charged with an offence by ICC match officials.

"We just had discussions with the match officials,” he said. “I've been charged with attempting to change the condition of the ball. I want to be here because I'm accountable for my actions. I've got to live with the consequences and the damage to my reputation. Once I was sighted on the big screens I panicked quite a lot."

His captain accepted a large part of the responsibility, saying it was a decision that the team came to as a collective – but one that did not involve the coaches.

'The leadership group knew about it,” he said. “I'm not proud of it. We spoke about it and thought it was a possible way to get an advantage. The coaches weren't involved.”

He too acknowledged that it was a grave error and apologised in no uncertain terms. “It won't happen ever again under my leadership. It's a poor reflection on everyone in that dressing room. If we weren't caught, I'd still feel bad about it.”

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/650423
 
Steve Smith should be relieved of the captaincy effective immediately. Cant have a cheat captaining an international team.
 
I agree the Umpires too should be punished for taking Bancroft’s feeble excuses at face value. And what were the third umpire/match referee doing while all of this was happening? Aussies always get away so easily.
 
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The yellow tape didn't magically appear in his pocket. The "leadership" must have planned this much earlier.
 
This incident will stick to the Aussie pace attack for a long long time, they have officially stomped and crushed their chances of ever being called an ATG pace attack
 
Disgusting. If this was us imagine what would happen.

Smith and Lehman have to be fired.

Shocking.
 
So stupid. Yet again. Think every team does this really, they have a guy on each team who's job is to tamper with the ball. Just like Faf with the zipper. Someone to take the fall, and if he's caught, no big deal. Then captain and coach usually will claim they were unaware of the whole situation. Kind of glad that Smith's admitted it, usually the captain/coach will just throw that player under the bus.

We're just too soft on ball tampering, it's just accepted.

This type of cheating happens more in test cricket and for good reason. Pitches are too flat these days, so teams try this sort of thing. The other team gets scared that one will amass 500 runs or so, or frustrated that they can only get a draw out of it. Test cricket's already being run into the group, and things like this are making it worse.

Introduce a no tolerance policy on this sort of thing. Lengthy bans on the players involved, captains, maybe even coaches. Make it so that it's not worth the risk.

I'd ban Smith for a whole year, and Bancroft for a few months. Not reporting a fixing attempt carries 12 months. And there's understandable reasons for doing that, fear of safety if you become the whistleblower, might get kicked out of team for being the snitch etc. Ball tampering there's intent there.
 
Who all are part of this "leadership group" Smith keeps mentioning? Can someone help me understand? Thanks.
 
pkckt said:
This incident will stick to the Aussie pace attack for a long long time, they have officially stomped and crushed their chances of ever being called an ATG pace attack
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If that is the case, then Imran, Wasim and Waqar cannot be considered ATGs either. How do you think they pioneered the dark art of reverse-swing?

Every team in the world tampers with the ball, but players are generally good at doing it discreetly. It has no bearing on your legacy as a bowler.
 
Australia's Cameron Bancroft has admitted he tampered with the ball during the third Test against South Africa - and captain Steve Smith says he knew of the plan in advance.

Television footage showed Bancroft take what he said was yellow tape out of his trouser pocket before rubbing the ball.

The 25-year-old said after play he had been charged with attempting to change the condition of the ball.

Smith said it was a "big mistake" but added he would not stand down.

He said the team's "leadership group" had spoken about it and "thought it was a way to get an advantage".

Speaking at a news conference after the day's play, both players apologised.

"I will deal with the damage that comes to my reputation as a consequence," Bancroft said. "I don't think I was coerced. I was nervous about it because there are hundreds of cameras around.

"Unfortunately I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I am accountable for my actions as well. I'm not proud of what has happened.

"Once I was sighted on the big screens, I panicked quite a lot."

Smith added: "We made a poor choice. We deeply regret our actions. Coaches weren't involved. It was purely the players in the leadership group.

"I can promise you it won't happen again. It's the first time this has happened.

"We will move on from this and hopefully learn something from it. I'm embarrassed. I feel for Cam. It's not what the Australian cricket team is about. I am incredibly sorry for trying to bring the game into disrepute."

After footage of the incident was broadcast, Bancroft put the tape down the front of his trousers before being spoken to by on-field umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth.

At that point he turned out his pockets, revealing a black cloth.

The umpires did not change the ball, and images of the incident on the big screen resulted in some booing from spectators.

The incident took place as South Africa built up a lead of more than 200 in their second innings against Australia.

Australia legend Shane Warne tweeted he was "very disappointed with the pictures".

It is the latest incident in a fractious four-match series in which several players have already been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Earlier in the Test, Australia opener David Warner was confronted by a spectator as he returned to the dressing room after being dismissed.

The tourists' coach Darren Lehmann later criticised the "disgraceful" verbal abuse directed at his players by the South African crowd, and Cricket Australia sent a letter of complaint to Cricket South Africa.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted Australia's complaint made him "chuckle", prompting an exchange with Candice Warner, the wife of the Australian vice-captain.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/43526870
 
Mamoon said:
If that is the case, then Imran, Wasim and Waqar cannot be considered ATGs either. How do you think they pioneered the dark art of reverse-swing?

Every team in the world tampers with the ball, but players are generally good at doing it discreetly. It has no bearing on your legacy as a bowler.
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Terrible post.

Don't bring legends into a discussion with a bunch of crybaby cheats.
 
Btw, I feel people are going ott with the bans. If they can't find anything against Lehman [shocker] then they'll just blame Smith and Bancroft and ban them accordingly. Nothing suggests ICC will have the spine to enforce an example they should've years ago.
 
Smith refused to name the members of the "leadership group" lol
I am pretty sure Warner and Stark were part of it. Smith and Lehman were the mastermind.
 
Look at these guys :)))

Feel sorry for Bancroft's career though. Think he's a very good player and has a fantastic attitude.

 
Mamoon said:
If that is the case, then Imran, Wasim and Waqar cannot be considered ATGs either. How do you think they pioneered the dark art of reverse-swing?

Every team in the world tampers with the ball, but players are generally good at doing it discreetly. It has no bearing on your legacy as a bowler.
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Those guys probably tampered the cherry back in the days but denied it throughout their careers and never actually got caught doing the act thus calling for at least a debate rather than a certain fact which despite that still follows them around like a black cloud up to date.
 
Very smart from Australian Cricket Board of late actually. They are tapping into the Australian soap opera market demographic. Housewives will soon prefer Test matches over Neighbours or Home and Away.
 
Smith always tells his juniors to cheat first it was Handscomb now Bancroft. Atleast Faf did it all himself and took all the blame.
 
MMHS said:
I'll be waiting what CA does with Smith & Lehman - and what ICC does against CA.
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Lehmann is gone. Smith should be out as well. I think Shaun Marsh will be test captain temporarily. But maybe they stay with Smith, who knows.

ICC should definitely punish Smith as captain. And the team as well. I think Australian team should lose test ranking points at a minimum. And be fined massively for bringing the game into disrepute.

If Captains can be banned for slow over rate, how can they not be, for ball-tampering?
 
GLORY OF '92 said:
Prove it. Did they ever use these sort of "tactics"?
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Much like doosra, i think there sufficient information available to state that you cannot achieve prodigious amounts of reverse without changing condition of the ball.
 
Isn't Lehman leaving soon anyway? Can't see him falling on his sword if that's the case.
 
jagatk said:
Much like doosra, i think there sufficient information available to state that you cannot achieve prodigious amounts of reverse without changing condition of the ball.
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The ball can and does change condition and that's OK, just not by using illegal means.
 
Pathetic apology in hopes of a lesser sentence for dealing in honesty from Smith. This guy is an absolutely farcical leader and captain. For a country with such an unbelievably rich history of amazing leaders and captains, Smith is a lowpoint.
 
dildilpak said:
I agree the Umpires too should be punished for taking Bancroft’s feeble excuses at face value. And what were the third umpire/match referee doing while all of this was happening? Aussies always get away so easily.
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How exactly are umpires supposed to act, they got 1 replay of it on big screen, the 3rd umpire really can't intervene unless asked and same with the referee he can act now not after seeing a few replays.
 
pkckt said:
Those guys probably tampered the cherry back in the days but denied it throughout their careers and never actually got caught doing the act thus calling for at least a debate rather than a certain fact which despite that still follows them around like a black cloud up to date.
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GLORY OF '92 said:
Prove it. Did they ever use these sort of "tactics"?
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Nothing to prove here. It is a fact that they tampered with the ball using bottle caps and other objects. It is extremely naive to think that just because they were not caught in the act means that they did not use underhand tactics.

Since reverse-swing became mainstream, all teams have been guilty of tampering. However, it is harder to get away with it now because of technology.

Nonetheless, they did admit to ball-tampering.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...rowing-light-on-a-touchy-subject-1434755.html

In 2000, Waqar became the first player ever to be fined for tampering.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/88784.html

The English and the rest did not know how to tamper with the ball to make it reverse back in the 80's and 90's, which is why they routinely accused Pakistani bowlers of cheating. The most famous example was in the summer of 1992 when Wasim and Waqar were too hot to handle for them.

However, now that all teams have learned how to do it, the players have toned down in terms of accusations. All teams accept the fact that these things happen. Faf was caught twice, once under Smith and once under Amla. How often is he labeled a cheat?

If the umpire catches, you are in trouble. If not, you get on with it. That is how it works nowadays.

Nonetheless, you still have to be a good bowler to make use of reverse-swing. It does not hamper your legacy.

The overreaction in this thread is because of Australia's reputation as the bad boy of cricket. Why should Smith face harsh punishment when other captains have gotten away with less? Why hasn't a repeat offender like Faf received a lengthy ban? Why weren't his captains, Smith and Amla, stripped of captaincy?

Smith and Bancroft should be and will be punished. However, it should be in line with the punishments that the previous offenders have received. Ball-tampering is a reality and the ICC cannot do anything to eradicate it. You either get away with it, or you are unlucky enough to get caught.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Steve Smith,his Team & ALL the management will have to accept that whatever happens in their careers they will all be known for trying to CHEAT the game ... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvAUS</a></p>— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelVaughan/status/977598867729473536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Kaptan said:
Smith always tells his juniors to cheat first it was Handscomb now Bancroft. Atleast Faf did it all himself and took all the blame.
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Faf was first caught in 2013, two years into his Test career and was not one of the senior players. He is as much of a cheat as Smith is, and he was caught twice. If he was allowed to go scot-free, why should Smith receive excessive punishment?
 
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