Ian Botham feels Australian Players Should be Prepared for the Backlash

Mar 26, 2018 at 3:54 PM

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Ian Botham feels Australian Players Should be Prepared for the Backlash

The past weekend was undoubtedly the darkest weekend for Australian cricket team.

The Australian players are having a miserable time in the Rainbow nation both on and off the field. They are trailing the four-match series 2-1 and their skipper, Steven Smith getting banned for the last Test following a ball-tampering confession.

Ian Botham
The Australians have a tough time in South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft admitted they did plan to change the condition of the ball with a foreign object during the third Test at the Newlands in Cape Town.

Cameron Bancroft, Ian Botham
Cameron Bancroft was caught tampering the ball. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

The incidence has got the entire cricketing world talking, and some of the former cricketers have also had their say on the actions of the Australian cricket team.

The current squad got criticised for their actions and former England captain, Sir Ian Botham has said this incidence had tainted the reputation of Australian cricket.

Ian Botham
Ian Botham feels Australian players should be prepared to be under the pump of the fans. Image Courtesy: Twitter

Botham also added the current crop of players should be prepared to receive backlash from the fans from all around the world.

“The groundswell over here is quite amazing; it is almost bordering on hatred at times. “The players, it will be very tough for them, and I think it puts everything about Australian cricket under question. People are now talking over here, how long has it been going on for? When else has this been done? There is going to be a lot of questions to be answered.

“I think a lot of people will regret this very much. It’s all very well being apologetic now, but what on earth possesses you to do something so stupid? It’s beyond me.”

Australian head coach Darren Lehmann has not commented on the incidence as of now, and Botham says the questions should be asked to the senior members of the Australian coaching team.

Darren Lehmann, Ian Botham
Australia coach Darren Lehmann has been accused by Kevin Pietersen to have played a role in the sandpaper saga. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

“How deep does it go? The players are saying that the management weren’t involved, which I hope is true. I don’t think this decision was made by Smith and Warner, so who else was involved?”

Here’s the news feed:
SA vs AUS 2018: Steven Smith Not to Fly Home, To Stay With Team in South Africa – CA

Steve Smith Time as Australia Captain is Up- Jason Gillespie

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