cricket

Tearful Smith takes 'full responsibility' for ball-tampering scandal

13 Comments
By PETER PARKS

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13 Comments
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Big tough Aussies? Bully boys that cry like babies when called to take some ownership of their oafish behavior. Maybe Kleenex can sponsor him and his cry baby coach and teammates.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I have made a big mistake for allowing this to happen

Wasn't he the one that actually did it? That's not 'allowing it to happen', that's 'doing this'.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Funny how Don Bradman gets namechecked. One is reminded of the whole bodyline scandal that the English team faced when playing against Australia all those years ago.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This has been blown wayyy out of proportion! Not saying what Bancroft did was ok but it's imo nowhere near as bad as doping, match fixing, corrupt refs etc which basically occur on a daily basis in all sports all around the world.

Unsurprisingly the usual suspects - Oz mainstream media and so called shock jocks, nz/saffa media & anti-oz fans- are having a field day (putting the boot in when someone's down is their 'raison d'etre' after all).

What Smith, Warner and Bancroft did was wrong but ppl's faux/excessive outrage is imo much worse and the symptoms of a sick/sad society and culture.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

it's imo nowhere near as bad as doping, match fixing, corrupt refs etc which basically occur on a daily basis in all sports all around the world.

Wrongful actions by one party are never a justification for another. Ever. That's the road to apathy, rot, and corruption. So it doesn't matter whether what happens in elsewhere is worse or not, it only matters how bad this issue is.

What Smith, Warner and Bancroft did was wrong but ppl's faux/excessive outrage is imo much worse and the symptoms of a sick/sad society and culture.

No, it's the same outrage as with the Russian doping scandal. Athletes and teams are supposed to go into matches as good sports. This means playing on a level playing field, and if one loses, that's part of playing the game, and being a good sport about losing is expected. So when one team decides to cheat the rules, and dishonestly find a way to balance the game in their favor, it's considered particularly despicable, as it goes against the entire premise and expectations under which the opposing athletes have entered the match. It's a betrayal of trust, and it's that trust that makes it so despicable.

Trying to justify bad actions based on the fact that others also did something bad is the sign of a sick and sad culture. Calling out dishonesty, betrayal of trust, and poor sportsmanship are the roads to a healthy society, not a sick one. Remember the old addage about the only thing evil needing to succeed is for good people to stand by idly - if people accept cheating due to the fact that others have cheated, that is standing by idly and letting evil persist.

We need to call out cheating for being as sick and despicable as it is, so that people have a true fear against cheating out of fear of the consequences. Those consequences should be both on an organizational/legal level (suspensions, fines) as well as a social level, by being strongly criticized for their actions.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Oz isnt what it used to be.

national teamcaptains blubberring on live tv after being caught cheating. I guess it goes with the self-loathing and 'sensitivity' that a PC education instills.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Stranger, I don't disagree with anything you wrote.

I still think many ppl/media overreacted and made it a personal vendetta against Smith (in some cases, against anyone/anything strayan) and took the moral high ground. Nothing wrong with calling out cheating, obviously, but what we have seen here had imo more to do with character assassination than eradicating cheating from sports.

I think that the hypocrisy, double standards (faf du plessis anyone?) etc seen in the media is truly outstanding.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Wasn't he the one that actually did it? That's not 'allowing it to happen', that's 'doing this'.

Actually, no - Smith was not the guy who either physically tampered or suggested the ball tampering. That was another batsman at the request of the Vice Captain. But as skipper, Smith stood up to take responsibility, which is what captains should always do. The coach has quit too, again rightly so.

@ goldorak

This has been blown wayyy out of proportion! Not saying what Bancroft did was ok but it's imo nowhere near as bad as doping, match fixing, corrupt refs etc which basically occur on a daily basis in all sports all around the world.

Agreed. Other international captains in recent times have also been found guilty of ball tampering - the current SA skipper, Atherton of England and the great Indian Tendulkar - but all of them copped between zero games and a few games suspension. Australia has banned Smith for the same length of time as cricket drug cheats (Shane Warne), and will lose many millions of dollars in endorsements. That is one hell of a punishment. Smith is a good man, but was never really strong enough to Captain the national team - there is no bigger job in sport. Nake no mistake, he will learn from it and be back again as the worlds best. I doubt the Vice Captain Warner will be seen again though - hopefully.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I guess it goes with the self-loathing and 'sensitivity' that a PC education instills.

What does this mean?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There is no bigger job in sport

There is no bigger job in sport than captaining the Australian cricket team?

I think you mean no bigger job in Australian cricket.

Let’s not get carried away here. I’ve just enjoyed winding up a patriotic Aussie mate who loved to bang on about hard but fair Aussies. Great fun.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Didn't he see League of their Own. There's no crying in cricket!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

There is no bigger job in sport than captaining the Australian cricket team?

I think you mean no bigger job in Australian cricket.

Well its the biggest job in Aussie sport anyway - and thats pretty damn big as you'd know! As far as world sport goes, probably rivalled by whoever skippers the All-Blacks - whom they say is more important nationally than the PM! You certainly cant say that about many other sportspeople!

Very strange having an Australian cricketer crying on public TV.

All Aussies know former captain Kim Hughes cried when he stepped down as skipper in the 80s. As did Don Bradman famously walking out for his last Innings - part of Australian folklore.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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