Legendary former Australian captain Steve Waugh feels that those involved in match-fixing has failed the culture of the side. Ball-tampering scandal hit cricket Australia during the third Test match in Cape Town. Cameron Bancroft was caught with a foreign object on camera.
Bancroft caught on camera
Bancroft has been seen rubbing the rough side of the ball with a foreign object before putting it back in his pocket. Coach Darren Lehmann watched the replays of Bancroft’s action and passed a message to Peter Handscomb through the walkie-talkie. Handscomb walked out to the field with drinks and passed the message to Bancroft. After a while, the latter was seen putting the yellow object under his pants.
Skipper Smith and Bancroft have been charged by the ICC as Australia went on to lose the match by 322 runs. Smith has been slapped with a Test match ban and 100% of his match fee. Bancroft has been handed three demerit points along with 75% of his match fee.
Trio to head back home
The duo along with deputy David Warner will return home, and their replacements have been named. Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, and Joe Burns have been called in. Waugh said the incident hurt he and all the cricket fans back in Australia.
“Like many, I’m deeply troubled by the events in Cape Town this last week, and acknowledge the thousands of messages I have received, mostly from heartbroken cricket followers worldwide,” he posted on his official Facebook page.
“The Australian cricket team has always believed it could win in any situation against any opposition, by playing combative, skillful and fair cricket, driven by our pride in the fabled Baggy Green.
“I have no doubt the current Australian team continues to believe in this mantra, however, some have now failed our culture, making a serious error of judgment in the Cape Town Test match.”
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