Of all the sporting codes, cricket enjoys that hallowed eminence as the game played by " gentlemen " ! When we think of the origin of cricket we envisage " flannelled fools " waging warfare between bat and ball on the village greens of country England.
In 1882 it was considered impertinence when a colonial side from Australia travelled to England to play the home country in a game of cricket. To the consternation of the English, the Aussies won handsomely and a leading English newspaper proclaimed that " cricket had died and the ashes have been cremated and taken to Australia ". Those " ashes " became the trophy for regular game series between the two countries.
Cricket is a curious game played by teams that consist of eleven players on each side. Two players take stance at the wicket and a bowler delivers a ball that he hopes will confuse the batsman to miss with the bat and shatter the stumps. A batsman may also be dismissed if the ball is declared LBW or is caught in the air by a player in the field. The game is watched and adjudicated by two independent umpires. The two batsmen exchange ends and run between the stumps when a scoring run is achieved.
The vagaries of the game are many. The play causes the turf wicket to crumble and wear on the ball causes it to lose its shine. Some bowlers develop the skill to allow the ball to " spin " and the tactics used often determine the winner. This is a game known for its fairness and camaraderie and it has developed into a world competition.
The sporting world was shocked when the cameras covering a series between Australia and South Africa detected Australian player Cameron Bancroft acting suspiciously with the ball. It seems he was rubbing dirt into one side using a piece of adhesive tape to achieve this objective and when this was brought to the attention of the umpires he hid the tape in his trousers.
Clearly, this is cheating. A ball shiny on one side and rough on the other can be manipulated to deceive. The tests being played are even at one game all, and this current game was sliding towards defeat. It rocked the world of cricket when Australian Captain Steve Smith admitted that he and senior players had conceived this ball manipulation. Smith and his vice captain, David Warner have stood down and the test will continue with wicketkeeper Tim Paine taking the lead.
It is almost unthinkable that an Australian team would stoop to cheating simply because they were facing a game loss. In the past we have fielded the best teams in the world and we have also suffered humiliating defeats. This slur on the national honour can only be erased if those who had a part in this disgrace are banished from the Australian team and prevented from playing this game at any level for the remainder of their lives.
At least Steve Smith admitted guilt and did not leave Cameron Bancroft to face the music alone. He deserves credit for that sincerity but we also need to review why the hallowed game of cricket is under such intensity that cheating has become an option to prevent a loss. There will be suspicion that legal betting on the game intensifies pressure on the team and the huge sums paid for television coverage should also receive examination.
This is an outcome that will disgust the many Australians who love cricket. It will eventually be overcome only if we act swiftly - and fairly. All who took part in that shameful decision have no further place in this team or in the administration of the game. To many it is the end of both fame and fortune, but such is the outcome when their actions tarnish Australia's honour !
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