What happened in Cape Town must be seen in three parts: Cameron Bancroft’s act, Steve Smith's statements and the implications of what Bancroft and Smith said and did.
This was, in simple terms, an attempt at ball tampering which is, well, part of cricket, something as common as motorists jumping a red light.
If reverse swing is an art, so is ball tampering – everyone does it though it clearly violates the ‘spirit’ and the laws of cricket.
Some are smart about it, others do it like Bancroft, brazen and careless, hence caught by cameras covering on field action.
So, why this moral outrage about what is common practice? Is it because this was a premeditated, deliberate act approved by the so called 'leadership' group, and the team decided to collectively cheat? Is it because, in this case, the captain himself sanctioned the sharp practice when he is supposed to uphold cricket's values?
Steve Smith’s conduct - and statements - is shocking, silly, even stupid.
First he played down the incident, making an insensitive statement which said 'what is the fuss about', nothing happened to the ball, the umpire did not change it!
If that wasn't bad enough, Smith scored a second self-goal by announcing he wouldn't step down and was the 'best' man to lead Australia.
He did not finish here, and concluded by expressing disappointment, embarrassment and regret. But no apology, no remorse.
The leadership group knew about it. We spoke about it at Lunch and I’m not proud of what’s happened. It’s not within the spirit of the game. We spoke about it and thought it was a possible way to get an advantage – poor choice and, yeah, we’re deeply regrettable.Steve Smith
The ICC has handed out a minor punishment but Smith remains on hot coals, awaiting harsher action from Cricket Australia (CA) and Rajasthan Royals.
As it is, the Prime Minister has said Smith ought to be sacked because he was seriously damaged Australia's reputation as a sports loving nation. CA too can't be seen to be soft on a captain with dodgy moral and ethical standards.
Our cricketers are role models and cricket is synonymous with fair play. How can our team be engaged in cheating like this? It beggars belief.Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister, Australia
Australia prides itself on its style of cricket, of playing hard but fair. Smith has exploded this myth and forever shattered this high moral position by telling the world that his team used unfair/illegal means.
Same is the case with Rajasthan Royals, reinstated this season in the IPL after being hit by corruption issues. It is difficult for their brand to survive another crisis of this nature, and options before the Royal's management 'leadership group' are limited.
Keeping Smith as captain would be a colossal PR disaster. Till now there is no official word from Jaipur but they have few options in the matter. Smith as captain? Completely untenable. Smith as player? Maybe - subject to CA.
(Amrit Mathur is a senior journalist, former GM of the BCCI and Manager of the Indian Cricket Team. He can be reached at @AmritMathur1.The views expressed above are of the author’s alone and The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for them.)
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