The Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has expressed his “shock” at the ball-tampering incident on Sunday that has shocked the cricketing world. Few hours after the Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland announced that captain Steve Smith. Who admitted the tampering of the ball during the third day of the third Test against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town, the prime minister said, “We all are very shocked and bitterly disappointed by the news from South Africa. It seemed completely impossible that the Australian cricket team had been involved in the cheating,” he was quoted as reported by ESPN Cricinfo.
Turnbull also added that he is looking forward to a “decisive action” on the above incident from Cricket Australia. “I’ve spoken with David Peever, the Chairman of Cricket Australia, a few hours ago and I have expressed to him very clearly and unequivocally my disappointment and also my concern about the events in South Africa. It is their responsibility to deal with the situation, but I have to say that the whole nation, who holds up those who wear the Baggy Green over a pedestal, almost as high as you can get in Australia this is a shocking disappointment. It is wrong, and I also look forward to the team for taking decisive action soon.”
While Australia Sports Commission (ASC) Chair John Wylie, the ASC Board, and CEO have spoken on behalf of the Australian government. And has demanded the removal of Steve Smith as the captain of the cricket team. “The ASC condemns cheating of any form in sport. The ASC expects that the Australian teams and athletes demonstrate unimpeachable integrity in representing our country,” the ASC statement said.
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So given the admission by Australian captain Steve Smith. The ASC will ask for him to be stood down immediately by Cricket Australia. Along with any other members of the team leadership group or the coaching staff. Who also had prior awareness of or an involvement in the plan to tamper with the ball. This can take place while Cricket Australia completes this entire investigation,” the statement added.
While on Saturday, opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught in hiding an object inside his pants. Which he later has described as a “yellow tape” which is a part of their kit. While accepting of ball tampering allegations at the press conference.
Captain Smith has also admitted to his role in the incident. And said, “We have spoken about it at Lunch and I’m not at all proud of it. It is not within the spirit of the game, neither my integrity nor the team’s integrity. The leadership group’s integrity has now become a question and rightly so. It is not on and it certainly will not happen again I can promise you that.”
The Consequences Of The Ball Tampering
Due to this issue, Captain Steve Smith is not eligible to play the 4th Test against South African Team in Johannesburg. On the other hand, Cameron Bancroft, the player who actually tampered with the ball has been given three demerit points and fined 75% of his match fee after accepting Level 2 charge.
We are very ashamed of this incident. Steve’s fans are very disappointed now. IPL fan? See how the squad looks like this year. Find out the IPL Team here.
