Cricket stooped to a new low during the 3rd Test between Australia and South Africa, when Cameron Bancroft was caught ball tampering. Replays showed how Bancroft had used a sand dust paper, which was in his pocket to rough up one side of the ball to extract reverse swing. Cameron Bancroft confessed about the entire episode. But questions are being raised on Australian skipper Steve Smith. Smith, if one remembers has been seen breaching the ICC guidelines on a number of occasions, more recently when he had the infamous brain fade moment. The act has disappointed fans all across the world.
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But why do cricketers get so desperate? The obvious answer is that the stakes are too high!
Here is how the cricketing fraternity and fans who are so attached to the game reacted.
Was Bancrofts press conference funny today and was he displaying his sense of humour ? #balltampering
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) March 24, 2018
Weird to consider the maximum penalty the ICC prescribes for ball tampering is a one match suspension, whereas the minimum penalty the public prescribes for ball tampering is euthanasia
— Ben Pobjie (@benpobjie) March 25, 2018
Aus team was upset that Rabada was let off. An over the top emotional celeb would set a bad precedent for youngsters. Sure. And what about the wilful act of cheating then? Can’t expect youngsters to fight the leadership group. CA & the ICC must set a precedent now #BALLTAMPERING
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) March 25, 2018
All of us today #balltampering pic.twitter.com/I8es0Wc2i1
— Rick Morton (@SquigglyRick) March 25, 2018
Ball Tampering then,
Ball tampering now.#SandPaperGate pic.twitter.com/Lib2irXVyE
— Athar (@cricdrugs) March 24, 2018
Fly them home in economy.
Revoke all privileges.
Extraordinarily angry at these blokes. #BallTampering— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) March 24, 2018
Kids. If your skipper ever asks you to cheat. Say no. You’ll be better for it in the long run. #balltampering
— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) March 24, 2018
Ball Tampering by Kids, Adults, Legends and Ultra-legends… pic.twitter.com/ixxnFKnzlr
— The-Lying-Lama (@KyaUkhaadLega) March 24, 2018
Bravo Simon Katich and your honesty on the ball tampering controversy. This is a man who should be working at the highest level in @CricketAus administration.
— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) March 25, 2018
Unfathomable.
Where was the grown up in the room that said this was cheating?
Where was the coach?
To pinch a line for Watergate – what did he know and when did he know it?
This captain and his team have brought shame to a great sporting tradition.#BallTampering
— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) March 24, 2018
ball tampering was premeditated and sanctioned by the leadership. Big statement needed in response and that includes, at a minimum, dumping Smith
— Phillip Coorey (@PhillipCoorey) March 24, 2018
I watched all the pieces of the ball tampering incident unfold live last night and felt sick in the stomach. It’s now actually worse than I thought. Premeditated, systematic cheating that’s been hatched by the leadership of the Australian cricket team. Trust broken.
— Adam White (@White_Adam) March 24, 2018
There must be zero tolerance about this. Cheaters have no place in the game. Both ICC and CA must be strict with their actions.#BallTampering
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 25, 2018
To make things worse, the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has also called the incident a “shocking disappointment” and wants the removal of the Australian captain Steve Smith.
