England skipper Joe Root believes the ball tampering scandal and worldwide reaction to it, is a wake-up call for the game as a whole.
Meanwhile, he stressed that England plays the game in the right way on the eve of the second Test against Kiwis.
Cricket Australia has handed 12 months ban to Steven Smith and David Warner, while Cameron Bancroft will serve a nine-month ban. Also, Smith and Bancroft can’t lead an Australian team for the next two years. On the other hand, Warner will not captain any Australian team in the future.
However, Root had very little sympathy for the players and was keen to look at the bigger picture.
“I think Cricket Australia have made a decision that is a statement to world cricket,” said Root. “It just shows that everyone watching the game and anyone who supports cricket are demonstrating how they want to see the game played. In terms of the bans that was a decision, Cricket Australia had to make, and that’s for them to decide,” he added.
Meanwhile, England can hardly be thought of as squeaky-clean, but Root is content that his team doesn’t cross the line.
“I think we conduct ourselves pretty well in the field,” he said. “I‘m happy with that, and I think you can see it throughout this series,” he added.
However, Australia coach Darren Lehmann called for a culture change in Australian cricket. He also upheld New Zealand as an example of how to play and respect the opposition.
There has been some sympathy for the plights of Smith and Bancroft since the severity of their bans. However, Root showed no signs of compassion towards the disgraced trio.
“Everyone will have their own opinion of it,’ said Root. “I’m not going to sit here and say what people should think and do. They can make their minds up on it themselves. Cricket Australia have dealt with it how they wanted to. All I have to do is make sure I look after this team and make sure we’re doing everything in the right manner,” Root concluded.
Meanwhile, England will face the Kiwis in the second Test starting from tomorrow (March 30) at Christchurch. They will look to come back and finish the series on a high.
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