Talking about recent deliberately ball-tampering controversies, former South African skipper Graeme Smith said that ICC (International Cricket Council) missed an opportunity to lead the cricket. Smith is not happy with the one Test ban for Australian skipper Steven Smith.
After Australian opener Cameron Bancroft was caught in the on-field video to trying change the ball condition, skipper Steven Smith admitted in the press conference that the leadership group knew about that ball-tampering.
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Later, Smith gave up his captaincy role and opener David Warner resigned from his vice-captaincy role. ICC recently gave a verdict on that ball-tampering incident where Steven Smith was handed one Test ban along with 100% match-fees fine.
Apart from that, ICC also fined 75% match fees from Cameron Bancroft along with adding three demerit points with his name.
Former South African skipper Graeme Smith was not happy with that verdict. He said, “I think the ICC missed an opportunity to really handle this properly and lead our game. They haven’t done that. You have had two players, who have admitted guilt for cheating. I think that’s huge.”
The former Protease skipper further added, “I can’t remember ever seeing a foreign object (on the field) to change the ball. The pictures are damning. I mean it shouldn’t be that Cricket Australia is setting the example. The ICC should be setting the example. I don’t know what the right ban is, but it shouldn’t be just one Test match.”
“Having captained before, every series you play, and every chance the ICC get to speak to you, they drum the spirit of the game down your neck. ‘You are responsible, you are the stakeholders’.”
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The 37-years old said that the punishment should be a long-lasting standard which will send a message to others. Graeme quoted on that, “I think they should have taken a bit of time and made a decision that was a long-lasting standard so that no players will take that chance again.”
