Shayan Das (IISWBM): We all remember the last time when proteas were involved in ball tampering, captain Faf du Plessis was found guilty and fined his match fees. Australians accepting the challenge tried to do it better. Cameron Bancroff, Australian batsman has been found guilty of ball tampering and has been fined 75% of his match fees. This happened after he and skipper Steve Smith accepted the ball tampering scandal in front of media and Andy Pycroff, match referee. Smith being banned for a test and charged 100% of match fees.
Australians have lot to deal with losing the match by 322 runs, trailing the series 2-1 with a match left, smith banned for a match and stepping down as Australian captain. To make situation worst Sponsors like Weetbix-maker Sanitarium rethinking their contract with Smith. If proven guilty Aussies may miss out on contact with Nine entertainment their cricket broadcaster for last 5years along with losing a share of market. Cricket Australia were on verge on renegotiating contract but which has been put on hold. It is shocking to hear that coach Leamann was not aware of situation. Such a mentality of some seniors players, its a shocking revelation that coach wasnt informed. It can bring in more troubles if Leamann knew of the plan and did not stepped in, but Smith claims Leamann wasnt informed about it. It is quite poetic to see Warner keeping quite for past 2 days who has lot to say instead.
Newspaper agencies taking a dig at the team, The UK Sunday Times led with the blunt headline “Cheats: Aussies admit ball tampering after being caught red-handed”, the MIRROR SPORT headlined as “CLOWN UNDER”, the SUN labelled them as “HYPOCRITES”. The decision by cricketer Cameron Bancroft to hide the yellow tape that was used to tamper with the ball in his underwear gave free licence to headline writers. Enter the NT News front page, “Why I’ve got some sticky near my dicky”.
Former Australian fast-bowler Jeff Thomson see this scandal with not just a match ban but lifetime ban for the players found guilty. He also criticized the current batch as “spoilt brats”. Fanie de Villiers, former South Africa fast bowler and now a commentator for South Africa’s SuperSport television channel said that the channel asked their cameraman for their proofs for ball tampering. with a seach for evidence for thirty minutes the cameraman found Cameron Bancroff tampering the ball.
Steve Smith who was going to captain Rajasthan Royals in IPL, but the team management has though in other way. With brewing of ball tampering Smith was removed from captaincy and Rahane was chosen to replace him, but the management put it in other way stating that Smith chosen to step down so that team can prepare without any distractions.
The best part of all this was Cameron Bancroff could have escaped being caught. When he was telecasted rubbing the ball in unknown object on the giant screen he was called over by the umpires. He produced a black cloth stating to use it to wipe his specs, but panicking on being showed on screen he tried to hide the yellow sticky tape inside his underpants. Had he kept calm and produced his black cloth keeping the sticky tape in his pocket apparently which he used for tampering the ball, he could have been safe. He could have later disposed it and never get caught for it. It is beleived that he panicked when Handscomb was shown getting a piece of mind from the coach via walkie-talkie and later coming to Bancroff to report it.
With investigation yet to occur, reports suggest that Smith might be banned for a year and would be removed from captaincy. Laws imposed to cricket are harsh, slightest of error on field they will be penalized to great extent.
With investigation yet to occur all we can do is await what faith has in stored from Cricket Australia and Smith in particular. As cricket lovers all we can pray is such incidents dont occur and a wonderful cricketer losing his career serving ban.