A downcast Steve Smith leaves the Johannesburg airport on Wednesday. ReutersCricket Australia (CA)'s probe into the ball-tampering episode that has tarnished the image of the Baggy Green has reached its logical conclusion. The decision to slap a one-year ban on Steve Smith and David Warner as well as a nine-month ban on Cameron Bancroft was a reflection of how serious the CA was in setting the house in order. Smith failed in his duty as captain of the Australian team when he gave approval to his deputy Warner's wretched plan to alter the condition of the ball by employing relative newcomer Bancroft to do the dirty job during the third day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa.
Both Smith and Warner would not have feared such a backlash even when Bancroft was caught in the act by television cameras. Smith's admission that it was premeditated by the leadership group was shocking and his statement that he considered himself the best person to be at the helm was a clear indication that he had failed to gauge the gravity of the situation. True, Australian teams have always stretched the rules of the game to gain whatever little edge they could get over their rivals. But never has an Australian team performed such a disgraceful act.
Outcry
The reaction from Down Under was one of anger and it must be noted that Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and Australian Sports Commission mounted pressure on the CA to act against the erring players. This resulted in Smith and Warner being asked to stand down from their respective roles ahead of the fourth day's play. The CA acted promptly and its head of integrity Iain Roy was flown in to conduct the inquiry. The International Cricket Council had handed Smith only a one-Test ban in addition to fine while Bancroft was let off with a meagre fine.
Though there are voices of discontent among a few players and experts about the duration of the ban imposed by the CA, it is fair to say that such a blatant act of cheating deserved no sympathy. It may even be added that the CA missed a golden chance to set the record straight by removing Darren Lehmann from the head coach's post. CA chief executive officer James Sutherland stated that Lehmann had no prior knowledge of the offence.
Lehmann's insistence to win at all costs has not made the Australian team a popular one across the cricket world. One can only hope that Lehmann and his boys would have learnt a bitter lesson and will play a different brand of cricket in the future.
What's in store?
There is no doubt the disgraced trio of Smith, Warner and Bancroft would have to live with it for the rest of their lives. Smith in all probability will never get to lead his country again. But at 28, he has plenty of cricket left in him and the fighter that he is, Smith should be back in Australia colours and go on to score tons of runs. But the same can't be said of Warner. He's 31 and the short-tempered little genius seems to be not the most popular cricketer among his teammates. It could well be the end of the road for the southpaw. As for Bancroft, he will have to start all over again and fight his way back into the Australian team, a task easier said than done.
The only positive from this whole episode is that teams across the globe will be more careful with their deeds on the field. It's not just about winning, but all about fighting in a fair manner.
