Australian Bowlers Deny Their Johannesburg Test Boycott News

Apr 1, 2019 at 3:20 PM

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Australian Bowlers Deny Their Johannesburg Test Boycott News

Recently, some Australian media reported that the Australian frontline bowlers had threatened to boycott the Johannesburg Test in March 2018 if David Warner wasn’t banned for his earlier ball-tampering incident. On Sunday (31st March) morning, the Australian bowlers released a joint statement to rubbish that report.

Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2017/18 was covered with top controversies. The ball-tampering incident during the Cape Town Test hugely hearted Australian cricket.

That controversial incident happened during the third day of the third Test of four-match Test series at Cape Town. On that day, Australian fielder Cameron Bancroft tried to alter the ball condition by using yellow sandpaper. That controversial action caught on the video cameras.

Australian bowlers, David Warner
Cameron Bancroft (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Later, it was revealed that then captain Steven Smith and vice-captain David Warner were also involved in that incident. David Warner played the major leadership role in that incident as he instructed Cameron Bancroft to change the ball condition.

Australian bowlers, David Warner
Steven Smith and David Warner (Image Credit: Getty Images)

After the investigation, Cricket Australia (CA) suspended Steven Smith and David Warner for 12 months, and Cameron Bancroft for nine months. Moreover, Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft will have to wait one more year after their suspension period to lead any cricket team under CA. Meanwhile, CA handed a lifetime captaincy ban for David Warner.

At present, Cameron Bancroft is playing the regular domestic cricket after completing his suspension period. On the other hand, Steven Smith and David Warner have just completed their suspension term.

Australian bowlers have denied the recent media report

Recently, some Australian media reported that the Australian bowlers had threatened to boycott the Johannesburg Test if David Warner wasn’t banned for his ball-tampering incident. The Johannesburg Test was the fourth and final Test of the series.

Fairfax media recently reported that Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon were considering boycotting the Johannesburg Test due to that reason.

While CA imposed those suspensions just before the Johannesburg Test, those bowlers played that Test match, except Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc missed out that match due to an injury.

Meanwhile, on Sunday morning, the Australian bowlers released a joint statement to deny that report. They claimed that it was a false report.

“We are extremely disappointed in an article which was first published across Fairfax platforms on March 29, 2019. The article claims we intended to withdraw from the fourth Test during last year’s tour of South Africa had David Warner been free to play.

“This claim is disappointing on a number of fronts but most importantly because it is false. False claims circulated in the media, such as these, which question our relationship with David are inflammatory and misleading. As a team we are all focused on moving forward together and helping the Australian Men’s team prepare for the World Cup and the Ashes.”

Australian cricketers are preparing for the upcoming World Cup and the Ashes

England and Wales are ready to host the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. It will be the 12th edition of Cricket World Cup that will run from 30th May to 14th July. The record five-time World Cup winning team Australia will start their upcoming World Cup journey as the defending champions. They will play their first match in the forthcoming World Cup on 1st June against Afghanistan at Bristol.

After that World Cup, Australia will play the five-match Test series against England in the Ashes 2019. England will host that series from 1st August to 16th September. While Australia will begin that series as the defending title holders, they haven’t won the Ashes series in England since 2001.

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