Despite the fact that the recent ball-tampering fiasco has become succesful in shaking the cricketing world upside down, the focus is now completely shifted to compassion and sympathy over the level of sanctions announced on those players. Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft became the reasons for producing one of the biggest controversies of cricket in the decade. While ICC handed a one-Test ban to Smith and fined Bancroft, Cricket Australia’s decision has many from cricketing fraternity surprised. Smith and Warner have been banned for one year and Bancroft for nine months with Warner barred from involvement in any leadership role with the national side in the future.
The trio was immediately sent back home after announcing the sanctions and will miss the fourth Test against South Africa. Smith and Bancroft addressed the media on their arrival to Australia and made an emotional apology. Smith, the former captain now, was left teary-eyed in the short address to the media in Sydney. Warner expressed himself with a social media post and few words on arrival back home.
Also read: Steven Smith Breaks Down in His First Media Interaction
India’s premier spinner R Ashwin also showed his sympathy and support for Smith and Warner while hoping Australia’s players’ association offers them support during this difficult time. He said in multiple tweets, “The world simply wants to see you cry, once you have cried they will feel satisfied and live happily ever after. If only Empathy was not just a Word and people still had it. God give Steve Smith and Bancroft all the strength to come out of this.”
The world simply wants to see you cry, once you have cried they will feel satisfied and live happily ever after. If only Empathy was not just a Word and people still had it. God give @stevesmith49 and Bancroft all the strength to come out of this.🙏
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) March 30, 2018
He further added, “And David Warner will also need the strength to fight it out, hopefully, their players’ union will provide them with all the support.”
And @davidwarner31 will also need the strength to fight it out, hopefully their players union will provide them with all the support.
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) March 30, 2018
Later on Thursday, a tearful Australia coach Darren Lehmann announced his resignation from the coveted job that he has quit from his position with the fourth Test to be his last assignment for the Baggy Greens.
