Shocking attitude of some people on the Cameron Bancroft ball-tampering incident!

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

No I am not talking about those who are condemning him.

I am talking about those who are explaining it away or even condoning it by saying 'everyone does it' and 'our people didn't get caught.'

Pakistanis, most of all, have seen Amir, Asif, Butt's shame, Rashid Latif's ban, Shahid Afridi's ball chewing and pitch tampering incidents etc - all played out to world media for days and months on end. Many other teams have got away with their own versions of cheating and bending the rules for years - Australia most of all.

Yet the same Pakistanis are now sanctimoniously bringing our team into an incident where thankfully we are not even remotely involved (unless the tape was made in Pakistan!!)

He cheated, the team cheated, they brought our beautiful game into disrepute and they were caught with the proverbial hand in the er...cookie jar. It was disgraceful, it was blatant and it was a poor reflection on their character.

Let them have their moment of shame. Don't bring Pakistan into it.

 

[www787]

You just brought Pakistan into it by making this thread.

 

[Railu Katta]

No I am not talking about those who are condemning him.

I am talking about those who are explaining it away or even condoning it by saying 'everyone does it' and 'our people didn't get caught.'

Pakistanis, most of all, have seen Amir, Asif, Butt's shame, Rashid Latif's ban, Shahid Afridi's ball chewing and pitch tampering incidents etc - all played out to world media for days and months on end. Many other teams have got away with their own versions of cheating and bending the rules for years - Australia most of all.

Yet the same Pakistanis are now sanctimoniously bringing our team into an incident where thankfully we are not even remotely involved (unless the tape was made in Pakistan!!)

He cheated, the team cheated, they brought our beautiful game into disrepute and they were caught with the proverbial hand in the er...cookie jar. It was disgraceful, it was blatant and it was a poor reflection on their character.

Let them have their moment of shame. Don't bring Pakistan into it.

It's always the usual suspect(s) that will come and include Pakistan with any controversy, but these personal computers are nowhere to be found when Pakistan does well.

 

[fawad_wellwisher]

Pakistan under the leadership of Misbah was transformed into one of the most well behaved team in the world. They have promoted a positive image of the country and repaired the damage caused by their predecessors.

 

[BreadPakoda]

People are frustrated due to the blatant hypocrisy that has been displayed by ICC many times in the past.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

People are frustrated due to the blatant hypocrisy that has been displayed by ICC many times in the past.

I buy that. But they are not pointing at ICC's hypocrisy. They are pointing to Pakistanis as hypocrites - which I am taking exception to.

This is all about Australia.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

You just brought Pakistan into it by making this thread.

I did, didn't I?

This needed to be addressed though.

 

[shane]

This needed to be addressed though.

Why?

 

[BreadPakoda]

I buy that. But they are not pointing at ICC's hypocrisy. They are pointing to Pakistanis as hypocrites - which I am taking exception to.

This is all about Australia.

Agree. The "legalize tampering" talk needs to go.

 

[Proactive_]

Nobody is condoning it. People are just puzzled by the extent of the criticism being levied on the Aussies for an activity that has been much more prevalent than what is being told by the media and large chunks of the cricketing community. It's funny that Steve Smith is being asked to resign while his counterpart in this series- Faf Du Plessis was himself caught ball tampering and despite that was made the captain a couple of years later. Funny how that works. There is an obvious bias against Australia at play here with regards to how these instances are portrayed in the cricketing community.. obviously because of aggressive the brand of cricket played by Australia which irks quite a lot of people.

 

[Executioner]

Rashid Latif was a cheat and Mr Afridi ain't no angel. These people deserved to be punished but condemning entire Pakistan cricket fraternity is uncalled

 

[SensiblePakFan]

I agree, everytime its a pakistani there is huge controversy, yet when its an australia its downplayed like nothing ever happened in the first place, not fair really, cant let them get away with everything.

 

[Rayyman]

Who cares. Do anything to take a wicket. Screw the rules.

 

[Princejain191]

No sympathy for the Aussies. This was pre-meditated planned cheating by a team that always claims the higher moral ground and which has the best bowling attack in the world. Unpardonable.

 

[PakLFC]

I am enjoying Australia being pawned in the press. I am enjoying that they can't even say the match was played in Pakistan. The ICC has to take action against a "big three" side here to prove their mettle. If it was Pak the usual suspects would be on about how "they've been cheating for years". Australia and other teams are no saints either, let the ICC prove that they are impartial.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Nobody is condoning it. People are just puzzled by the extent of the criticism being levied on the Aussies for an activity that has been much more prevalent than what is being told by the media and large chunks of the cricketing community. It's funny that Steve Smith is being asked to resign while his counterpart in this series- Faf Du Plessis was himself caught ball tampering and despite that was made the captain a couple of years later. Funny how that works. There is an obvious bias against Australia at play here with regards to how these instances are portrayed in the cricketing community.. obviously because of aggressive the brand of cricket played by Australia which irks quite a lot of people.

Yet another supporter of the "poor, innocent" Aussies.

Like you haven't seen what they have got away with in the recent past with little or no repercussions.

 

[Abdullah]

It's true though.
Atherton done in. Tendulkar done it. Duplessis too. There will be a storm for a few days and it will go away.
Just interested to see how far aussie media take this as they seem to be seething

 

[Proactive_]

Yet another supporter of the "poor, innocent" Aussies.

Like you haven't seen what they have got away with in the recent past with little or no repercussions.

Like what? When was the last time before this incident that any Australian was implicated for ball tampering or match fixing? As I said, people are jumping up and down over this incident since it's the burly, arrogant Aussies, notwithstanding the fact that many other countries have a much much worse record with regards to bringing the game into disrepute by ball tampering and/or fixing.

 

[Torborg]

Nobody is condoning it. People are just puzzled by the extent of the criticism being levied on the Aussies for an activity that has been much more prevalent than what is being told by the media and large chunks of the cricketing community. It's funny that Steve Smith is being asked to resign while his counterpart in this series- Faf Du Plessis was himself caught ball tampering and despite that was made the captain a couple of years later. Funny how that works. There is an obvious bias against Australia at play here with regards to how these instances are portrayed in the cricketing community.. obviously because of aggressive the brand of cricket played by Australia which irks quite a lot of people.

It's nice to see an objective viewpoint. I agree on all points.

 

[Major]

Has Australia over reacted to the ball tampering saga?

Currently the situation is as such that the Australian Govt has asked for the removal of Steve Smith as Captain.

Everyone is bashing him.

But lets be honest. Guys like Dravid, Tendulkar, Faf Du plesis, Afridi, Imran Khan, Atherton have been caught or admitted to doing it.

Micheal Clarke has even said that he is willing to come out of retirement to restore the "dignity of Cricket Australia". As if as a captain he has never done such a thing

 

[Proactive_]

You think?..

But it seems like the threshold for tolerance on such matters there is quite lower as compared to some of the other countries.

 

[Convict]

No.

Like people mock it all in here and where the line actually is is extremely debatable and different from person to person but Australia actually does believe in the you do your best to win but you don't cross the line.

And the Australian team here has deliberately and in an organised fashion decided to blatantly cross the line.

We don't want actual confirmed cheats captaining or coaching our national team.

If other countries think that serving the ICC suspension is punishment is fine that is good for them but its not good enough for us.

Lehman, Smith, Warner all got to go.

 

[Major]

If this was Pakistan, even though we have our short comings, but most of the senior players would had backed the captain or bowler who was being bashed.

I'm surprised how the Australians have turned their back here.

Its(ball tempering) something that most teams do or have done.

 

[kingusama92]

Yes.

Absolutely bizarre and for the prime minister to comment.

Did Smith kill someone on the pitch?

 

[Aman]

I don't think you're understanding the severity of this.

It's systematic cheating, people always had doubts now the Aussies have outed themselves.

Who knows how many matches they've won because of it.

 

[Major]

No.

Like people mock it all in here and where the line actually is is extremely debatable and different from person to person but Australia actually does believe in the you do your best to win but you don't cross the line.

And the Australian team here has deliberately and in an organised fashion decided to blatantly cross the line.

We don't want actual confirmed cheats captaining or coaching our national team.

If other countries think that serving the ICC suspension is punishment is fine that is good for them but its not good enough for us.

Lehman, Smith, Warner all got to go.

so you accept the fact that Ball tempring doesn't take place in the world? Also do you admit that From 2000 till 2018, no AUstralian captain has ever tempered with the ball?

 

[Aman]

If this was Pakistan, even though we have our short comings, but most of the senior players would had backed the captain or bowler who was being bashed.

I'm surprised how the Australians have turned their back here.

Its(ball tempering) something that most teams do or have done.

How would the rest of the world reacted? It's cheating, Smith knew it and even said they did it to get an advantage.

 

[shane]

I think if you asked Smith he would say Yes. I got the impression from his press conference that he was expecting a gentle slap on the wrist and seemed happy to assume he would remain captain.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

That fact that half the team are involved and it was premeditated is what’s set people off. It wasn’t one man or a moment of impulse

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Definitely overreacting. There is a difference, however, between this and Faf's sweetie/lolli incident. Faf was still using his spit. This is bringing something foreign on the fied to cheat. Faf certainly can't point fingers, but this does seem a bit more serious.

 

[dildilpak]

Yes.

Absolutely bizarre and for the prime minister to comment.

Did Smith kill someone on the pitch?

Nor did any spot/match fixers, so using your logic - why ban them?

 

[Proactive_]

I don't think you're understanding the severity of this.

It's systematic cheating, people always had doubts now the Aussies have outed themselves.

Who knows how many matches they've won because of it.

You'd be pretty naive to think that almost every other instance of ball tampering isn't as "systematic" as this was. It's pretty pointless for a single individual to tamper the ball without the other team members knowing what the tamperer is actually trying to accomplish with regards to the characteristics of the ball.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Difficult to compare situations from past to now.

I can think of various reasons why this time the reaction is so severe - but biggest of them all are two:

1. They have been too high and mighty. Sole holders of the tough but fair cricket ethic, bearers of the imaginary 'line that they don't cross but everyone else does' etc.

2. They were caught in the act with zero doubt or ambiguity. Faf could plead ambiguity, but Bancroft just couldn't. Tendulkar could but Afridi or Atherton couldn't. Ambiguity douses fires like nothing else.

 

[kingusama92]

Nor did any spot/match fixers, so using your logic - why ban them?

They broke the law and went to prison.

I'd say that's a smidgen worse than ball tampering.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Australian team has been involved in a lot of drama ever since India tour. Kohli publicly called out Smith and co. as cheaters. Now it has come to light. This is not an overreaction, it was being built up for quite some time. Not just the Aussie government, all other cricket nations are bitter at Australia. You can be arrogant or cheater, either can ve excused. However you can't get away being an arrogant cheater.

Australia team has lost a lot of respect. This isn't as simple as Salman Butt's case. Butt and Pakistan team didn't bully other teams. People are not just upset, they're angry and rightfully so.

 

[Major]

Point of this thread is, Pakistani's are taking their revenge. THat someone else has been caught so we should bash them instead of being understanding.

Stupid attitude.

 

[kingusama92]

I don't think you're understanding the severity of this.

It's systematic cheating, people always had doubts now the Aussies have outed themselves.

Who knows how many matches they've won because of it.

It's always systematic.

Imran used to tell Wasim and Waqar to scuff up the ball. Everyone did it together so the ball reversed faster.

He literally said, "So I got the 12th man to bring on a bottle top and it started to move around a lot. I occasionally scratched the side (of the ball) and lifted the seam."

 

[Major]

Australian team has been involved in a lot of drama ever since India tour. Kohli publicly called out Smith and co. as cheaters. Now it has come to light. This is not an overreaction, it was being built up for quite some time. Not just the Aussie government, all other cricket nations are bitter at Australia. You can be arrogant or cheater, either can ve excused. However you can't get away being an arrogant cheater.

Australia team has lost a lot of respect. This isn't as simple as Salman Butt's case. Butt and Pakistan team didn't bully other teams. People are not just upset, they're angry and rightfully so.

so you are saying that the problem here is teh arrogant style of cricekt Australia plays with which people have never been happy

 

[Convict]

Australian team has been involved in a lot of drama ever since India tour. Kohli publicly called out Smith and co. as cheaters. Now it has come to light. This is not an overreaction, it was being built up for quite some time. Not just the Aussie government, all other cricket nations are bitter at Australia. You can be arrogant or cheater, either can ve excused. However you can't get away being an arrogant cheater.

Australia team has lost a lot of respect. This isn't as simple as Salman Butt's case. Butt and Pakistan team didn't bully other teams. People are not just upset, they're angry and rightfully so.

Nah. Got absolutely nothing to do with that.

Australian fans don't care and never have cared what supporters of other teams think about us. Its not like people want Smith sacked because oh no the Indians and Poms don't like our cricket team because they never have and never will like our cricket team just as we don't like their cricket teams.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I think they fact the got the youngest player in the team to do this also explains the reaction. They have competently thrown Bancroft under the buss. At least Athers, Afridi and so on did their own dirty work

 

[BreadPakoda]

Definitely overreacting. There is a difference, however, between this and Faf's sweetie/lolli incident. Faf was still using his spit. This is bringing something foreign on the fied to cheat. Faf certainly can't point fingers, but this does seem a bit more serious.

Wait a minute, didn't Faf use his zipper or was that a different incident?

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Wait a minute, didn't Faf use his zipper or was that a different incident?

Yeah , and it was obviously intentional but he has more plausible deniability than this

 

[Convict]

Wait a minute, didn't Faf use his zipper or was that a different incident?

He did.

 

[Mamba Red]

No this is a disgrace for an Aussie captain to be involved in this.

It's up to other countries the way they treat their cheaters.

But in Australia, we will not tolerate it.

Disgraceful we need to sack the coach and Smith needs to be fined and suspended for 5 test and the captaincy taken away and should never get it back.

Read some Aussies forums we are all very angry with this.

 

[Indiafan]

Currently the situation is as such that the Australian Govt has asked for the removal of Steve Smith as Captain.

Everyone is bashing him.

But lets be honest. Guys like Dravid, Tendulkar, Faf Du plesis, Afridi, Imran Khan, Atherton have been caught or admitted to doing it.

Micheal Clarke has even said that he is willing to come out of retirement to restore the "dignity of Cricket Australia". As if as a captain he has never done such a thing

still lying about sachin after he has been cleared by icc

 

[Ab Fan]

No. It was a pre-planned cheating by the so called leadership group and the fact that they threw the younger guy to do the job was blasphemous.

Yes, Smith admitted it. But what? A cheat is a cheat and the Australian cricket team integrity is in question now. Hence I won't say that the Australians are overreacting to this whole incident.

 

[Princejain191]

Not at all.

Australia always claims the moral high ground (Faf-mintgate, Murlidharan, Symonds, Broad, etc) and cricket is a huge sport in Australia too. The thing that sets everything off is that it was planned by whole group of players. Not a mistake by one cricketer. They planned to cheat knowingly and quite blatantly. There is no is-this-right-or-not (like there was in Faf's case) in this, this is cheating - Period. Coach and subsitutes were in too.

And this comes on the back of how awful the Australian players behaviour has been in the entire series. When you read the articles, you will see that it is the Australian Sports Association that has called for Smith to step down - fair enough, it is their job. The other cases you have mentioned are not even remotely close to this. This, unlike all of them, doesn't look to be a singular case but a systematic attempt by the entire OZ group to fool the system. Massive difference.

Also this is the time when the moral police of the ICC is at its most belligerent. No escape for Smith.

 

[Mamba Red]

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull disappointed by cheating allegations against Australian cricket team

The Australian cricket team and captain Steve Smith have come under fire from the highest office in the land with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull expressing his “disappointment” that they cheated during the third Test in South Africa.

The fallout from the incident continued on Sunday with the Australian Sports Commission calling on Smith to be stood down immediately, while Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland said he was shocked and disappointed.

Mr Turnbull said he had expressed his concerns to CA chairman David Peever, a former member of his indigenous affairs advisory council.
“I’ve expressed to him very clearly and unequivocally my disappointment and my concern about the events in South Africa,” Mr Tunrbull said.

“Our cricketers are role models and cricket is synonymous with fair play.

“How can our team be engaged in cheating like this? It beggars belief.”

The Australian Sports Commission has also condemned the actions of the Australian cricket team after they admitted to cheating in the third Test in South Africa, and called on Cricket Australia to stand down captain Steve Smith immediately.

Cricket Australia was plunged into crisis on Sunday after Smith admitted that the leadership group had hatched a plan for opener Cameron Bancroft to use sticky tape on the ball to gain an advantage over the Proteas at Cape Town.

Cricket Australia boss has called for a complete investigation into the incident, but Australian Sports Commission chair John Wylie, the ASC board and CEO Kate Palmer issued a statement on Sunday calling for action to be taken now.

“The ASC condemns cheating of any form in sport,” the statement said.

“The ASC expects and requires that Australian teams and athletes demonstrate unimpeachable integrity in representing our country.

“The Australian cricket team are iconic representatives of our country. The example they set matters a great deal to Australia and to the thousands of young Australians playing or enjoying the sport of cricket and who look up to the national team as role models.

“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.”

Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland says he is “disappointed and shocked” at the ball tampering scandal that has rocked the game.

Australian opening batsman Cameron Bancroft has been charged by the ICC after using a piece of tape to alter the condition of the ball during South Africa’s second innings of the Test in Cape Town.

At the conclusion of play skipper Steve Smith admitted the entire leadership group had approved Bancroft’s actions in advance.

“I was extremely disappointed and shocked to hear the news this morning after the events in Cape Town yesterday,” Sutherland said.

“From a Cricket Australia perspective we regard this as an extremely serious issue.

“Australian cricket fans want to be proud of their cricket team, and I think this morning they have every reason to wake up and not be proud of the team. It’s a very sad day for Australian cricket.

“One of the unique things about the game of cricket is that it’s to be played not only within the laws of the game but in the spirit of the game. Activities on the field yesterday in Cape Town are neither within the laws of the game, or within the spirit of the game.

“Unfortunately that’s not the end of it and can’t be the end of it. We have a responsibility to take this further and to understand more about the issue.

“I’ve asked our Head of Integrity Iain Roy to travel to South Africa today. Pat Howard, our head of team performance, will also go with him and they will be on the ground tomorrow.

A clearly shaken Sutherland admitted the public expect quick action from the governing body.

“You will appreciate that there’s an element of process that needs to be undertaken here,” he said.

“It is being dealt with as a matter of urgency and seriousness. It will be dealt with promptly.”

Smith is under increasing pressure to quit as captain, however he stated after play on day three that he still feels he’s the best person to lead the side.

 

[emranabbas]

Cheating is cheating

Ball tampering is same as spot fixing and match fixing all three change the outcome of the game

Ball tampering takes a lot more effort and no money is involved that’s the only difference

These guys should get a ban

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Wait a minute, didn't Faf use his zipper or was that a different incident?

That was another incident. Faf is a crappy ball tamperer

 

[James]

The reaction is proportionate. This is much worse than the usual ball tampering scenario because of the collective planning / premeditation aspect and also getting a junior player to do it on the leadership team’s behalf.

 

[kingusama92]

Even in North American sports, they don't react like this.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots deflated footballs. Essentially ball tampering. Tom received a ban and was right back in as the team's leader.

I can't believe a board/fans/media/prime minister (LOL) would do this to their own player. It's incredible.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Even in North American sports, they don't react like this.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots deflated footballs. Essentially ball tampering. Tom received a ban and was right back in as the team's leader.

I can't believe a board/fans/media/prime minister (LOL) would do this to their own player. It's incredible.

This is international sports.

 

[Mamba Red]

Even in North American sports, they don't react like this.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots deflated footballs. Essentially ball tampering. Tom received a ban and was right back in as the team's leader.

I can't believe a board/fans/media/prime minister (LOL) would do this to their own player. It's incredible.

He cheated we don't care how other teams or countries deal with cheats.

It was planned the coach needs to go as well.

 

[Bhaijaan]

This may be a regular thing to you but to us Big 3 nations this is as bad as it can get. There is no compromise on pride and honour of our rich cricket history. Steve Smith and team management has embarrassed us all and must go and never come back.

Disgraceful act.

 

[Aman]

Even in North American sports, they don't react like this.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots deflated footballs. Essentially ball tampering. Tom received a ban and was right back in as the team's leader.

I can't believe a board/fans/media/prime minister (LOL) would do this to their own player. It's incredible.

No one outside America gives a damn about the NFL.

Also, I've seen stories on it a lot of people bring it up whenever they talk about Brady and the Patriots. I'm not even a fan of the sport and even I know about it.

 

[kingusama92]

This is international sports.

I've already given international (Australian)examples.

Waugh + Warne (fixing)
Ponting (nightclub brawl)

Everyone went on to lead the team either as captain or VC.

The North American one is to further illustrate how this is a ridiculous overreaction.

 

[Mamba Red]

You guys have to understand that Australia is a sporting nation we don't tolerate cheating especially if it is premeditated cheating.

 

[kingusama92]

He cheated we don't care how other teams or countries deal with cheats.

It was planned the coach needs to go as well.

Why did you guys make Warne captain in 1999 then? He was caught in bed with the bookies.

Why did you guys make Mark Waugh Vice-captain in 1999? He was caught in bed with the bookies too.

 

[kingusama92]

You guys have to understand that Australia is a sporting nation we don't tolerate cheating especially if it is premeditated cheating.

You guys let Warne fix matches. Then you let Warne come back after doping.

Yes, you guys do tolerate cheating.

 

[Madplayer]

Here is what i wrote about it in another thread.

I think we need to establish ground for the final decision with regards to cases such as these. Which factors should influence the extent of punishment?

One question would be if past judgements on similar crimes should influence the final decision?

I personally think they shouldnt influence the new decisions in a huge way. We need to evolve and We should take every case individually. However we should keep in mind the effectiveness of the previous judgements. If previous punishments didnt help in curbing a particular menace, it would only be right to try a different method or intensify the punishment.

Another question is whether cheating is a lesser offence compared to corruption?

Historically it has been viewed as a lesser offence compared to throwing matches or even lesser forms of corruption like spot fixing (bowling no balls, wides, playing maidens etc.). I think its time to rethink about it.

As the competitive nature of players has intensified in the modern era with more money coming into the game itself, chances of corruption have reduced while chances of cheating have increased. This can be gauged from the fact that even 100s of cameras on the ground dont deter some players from making use of unfair means to get advantages in the field of play. The attitude that cheating to win is not as serious as corruption is also going to bring the game into disrepute.

I hope sanity prevails and the concerned authorities make the correct judgement by taking cognizance of the changing dynamics of the game as well as attitudes and mindsets of players.

 

[Mamba Red]

Why did you guys make Warne captain in 1999 then? He was caught in bed with the bookies.

Why did you guys make Mark Waugh Vice-captain in 1999? He was caught in bed with the bookies too.

I was a kid when it happend ask someone who knows more about than me.

This happened yesterday.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Like what? When was the last time before this incident that any Australian was implicated for ball tampering or match fixing? As I said, people are jumping up and down over this incident since it's the burly, arrogant Aussies, notwithstanding the fact that many other countries have a much much worse record with regards to bringing the game into disrepute by ball tampering and/or fixing.

Aussies have done their bit to bring the game into disrepute. Of the top of my head, going back:

Travel Chappell Underam
Waugh and Warne - bookies information
Smith looking at dressing room for DRS

Plus questionable stuff like squash ball in gloves, claiming wrong catches, tin bats etc etc.

They do their bit. When caught, they should pay.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Aussies have done their bit to bring the game into disrepute. Of the top of my head, going back:

Travel Chappell Underam
Waugh and Warne - bookies information
Smith looking at dressing room for DRS

Plus questionable stuff like squash ball in gloves, claiming wrong catches, tin bats etc etc.

They do their bit. When caught, they should pay.

Trevor...

 

[cricketjoshila]

I've already given international (Australian)examples.

Waugh + Warne (fixing)
Ponting (nightclub brawl)

Everyone went on to lead the team either as captain or VC.

The North American one is to further illustrate how this is a ridiculous overreaction.

Night club involves cricket?

 

[Convict]

Reports are that Smith and Warner have stood down effective immediately with Tim Paine taking over.

 

[kingusama92]

Night club involves cricket?

National players assaulting people (while drunk) doesn't bring your country's reputation in question?

Why did everyone make a fuss about Stokes/Hales then?

 

[kingusama92]

Reports are that Smith and Warner have stood down effective immediately with Tim Paine taking over.

That's sad.

Mob mentality wins headed by Turnbull the Great.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Lol, I don't get it. It's not like this is the first time they've done it.

 

[Proactive_]

Aussies have done their bit to bring the game into disrepute. Of the top of my head, going back:

Travel Chappell Underam
Waugh and Warne - bookies information
Smith looking at dressing room for DRS

Plus questionable stuff like squash ball in gloves, claiming wrong catches, tin bats etc etc.

They do their bit. When caught, they should pay.

These are 3 incidents spread over 37 years lol.. and underarm wasn't even illegal. Nowhere near the same frequency with which the likes of India, Pakistan, SA etc's players have been accused and/or implicated for similar or even more serious offences in just the recent past of 10 odd years.

 

[Hasan123]

Smith should carry on as captain. Ball tampering is something which is apart of the game wheather we like it or not. Faf continued as SA captain despite being caught 3 times. Smith should carry on.

 

[shokz1408]

Yes. They are getting spot fixing treatment. It's a bit too much. One-two match ban would have sufficed. The coach should have taken one for the team if he was leaving soon anyway.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

To let them have their moment of shame means discussing them in isolation.

If, however, we mention how different races are treated differently after being caught (trending currently in many threads), we are trying to bring Pakistan into it anyways.

Cheating is cheating.

End of.

 

[IMMY69]

If this was Pakistan, even though we have our short comings, but most of the senior players would had backed the captain or bowler who was being bashed.

I'm surprised how the Australians have turned their back here.

Its(ball tempering) something that most teams do or have done.

I’m a Middle Ages bloke who grew up watching Imran Khan in his pomp and then Wasim and Waqar bending it around hoops BUT even i’m Not living in the past.

The world has moved on and we’re now living in a far more professional era so anyone caught doing what happened yesterday should definitely feel the wrath of their governing body..

 

[Junaids]

Currently the situation is as such that the Australian Govt has asked for the removal of Steve Smith as Captain.

Everyone is bashing him.

But lets be honest. Guys like Dravid, Tendulkar, Faf Du plesis, Afridi, Imran Khan, Atherton have been caught or admitted to doing it.

Micheal Clarke has even said that he is willing to come out of retirement to restore the "dignity of Cricket Australia". As if as a captain he has never done such a thing

NO!

Australia and New Zealand are proud, civilised countries, and a premeditated cheat cannot occupy the highest office in the land.

Many of my female friends play hockey well into their fifties. And the sportsmanship side of sport is paramount - not victory.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

These are 3 incidents spread over 37 years lol.. and underarm wasn't even illegal. Nowhere near the same frequency with which the likes of India, Pakistan, SA etc's players have been accused and/or implicated for similar or even more serious offences in just the recent past of 10 odd years.

My friend, India, Pakistan and South Africa have all been hauled over burning coals. For months and years.

This is Australia's turn. They have blatantly cheated. They have been caught. There is no ambiguity, no moral defense.

Citing other teams is extremely weak defense. Even if there are thief everywhere, you can't let go someone caught in the act.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Smith should carry on as captain. Ball tampering is something which is apart of the game wheather we like it or not. Faf continued as SA captain despite being caught 3 times. Smith should carry on.

So if something illegal is prevalent (like let's say performance enhancing drugs in cycling - part of the game,) it should be allowed?

 

[Proactive_]

My friend, India, Pakistan and South Africa have all been hauled over burning coals. For months and years.

This is Australia's turn. They have blatantly cheated. They have been caught. There is no ambiguity, no moral defense.

Citing other teams is extremely weak defense. Even if there are thief everywhere, you can't let go someone caught in the act.

I'm not saying they shouldn't be punished. Of course they should be. I just find it strange that even the Prime Minster has to intervene on an offence for which players and captains of other teams have just gotten away with barely a slap on the wrist in comparison. Looking at the media and the cricketing community at large, you might think Smith and Australia have committed first degree murder, when in fact Smith's counterpart in this series- Faf Du Plessis himself has been caught for the same offence in the past and is now captaining the team!

 

[Hasan123]

So if something illegal is prevalent (like let's say performance enhancing drugs in cycling - part of the game,) it should be allowed?

This isn't about performing enhancing drugs. It's about ball tampering. All teams take part in it. Smith and Australia were caught. They should be punished and we should move on. Australia are free to do what they want but for me it's a part of the game but I don't like it at all as it is cheating.

 

[IMMY69]

My friend, India, Pakistan and South Africa have all been hauled over burning coals. For months and years.

This is Australia's turn. They have blatantly cheated. They have been caught. There is no ambiguity, no moral defense.

Citing other teams is extremely weak defense. Even if there are thief everywhere, you can't let go someone caught in the act.

Well that’s right!!
If you’ve caught someone doing it, and you have the evidence then an example has to be set.
If this is ignored then you set a bad precedent and youngsters will feel they can get away with taking sand paper, blades or whatever on to the field to try and alter the ball..

Those who keep bringing Pakistan in to it and brush this under the carpet are the same people who are willing to back a morally bankrupt government and endorse theiving. It shows you their thinking