What happened a couple of days ago in Cape Town, SA was no less than a cricket fan’s worst nightmare. The Australian side, blinded by their desperation to win the game, seemed to have forgotten its laws and spirit. Both Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft admitted to the ball tampering charges against them. The ICC has punished the two for their actions.
It was indeed a day of shame for the Australians. A mutual feeling of resentment was noticeable among many former Australian cricketers like Michael Vaughan, Michael Clarke, and others. They openly expressed their embarrassment and anger at Steve Smith and his squad via the social network.
ICC’s Decision
The ICC, in its consequential verdict, recently presented Skipper Smith with a match’s ban and 100% match fee. He also received 4 demerit points. Batsman Bancroft, on the other hand, was charged with 75% of his match fee and handed 3 demerit points. This decision by the ICC is sure to be seen as lenient in comparison to previous incidents of cheating.
Bhajji’s Anger Towards The ICC
In all the opinions as a reaction to this decision, anger was pervasive. Former India spinner, Harbhajan Singh reacted with a straight onslaught on the governing body on account of its unfair judgment. Known for his outspoken attitude, Singh responded with an angry tweet lashing out at the ICC. His anger is an upshot of the easy punishment the two Aussies are getting away with. An annoyed Harbhajan spoke against Bancroft receiving no ban despite being the chief culprit.
Bhajji’s Tweet
wow @ICC wow. Great treatment nd FairPlay. No ban for Bancroft with all the evidences whereas 6 of us were banned for excessive appealing in South Africa 2001 without any evidence and Remember Sydney 2008? Not found guilty and banned for 3 matches.different people different rules
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 25, 2018
In his tweet, Bhajji recalled 2001 test match against South Africa. The ICC suspended 6 Indian cricketers including him on charges of “excessive appealing”. He also referred to the Monkey Gate scandal and ICC’s strict behavior at that time in 2008.
It is downright discriminating on the ICC’s part to punish the two players so lightly for a crime so heavy. Harbhajan Singh, a popular name from Indian cricket, has expressed his displeasure and rooted in such unjust action. Wish to know more about the scandal? Click here to read the full story.
