Former Indian legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is of the opinion that the decision was taken by Cricket Australia to ban their skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner is the right decision keeping in mind the integrity of the game. Smith admitted to ball tampering during the 3rd Test against South Africa at the Newlands in Cape Town.
Opener Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera applying the glue of yellow sticky tape on the ball which was attached with some granules. Smith at the press-conference admitted that the leadership group hatched the plan during the lunch interval to illegally alter the condition of the ball. While Smith and Warner have been banned for a year, Bancroft faces a 9-month suspension. They have also been barred from taking part in the upcoming Indian Premier League.
ICC had earlier banned Smith for a Test and levied 100% fine on him. Speaking on the ban imposed by Cricket Australia Tendulkar said,
“Cricket has been known as a gentleman’s game. It’s a game that I believe should be played in the purest form. Whatever has happened is unfortunate, but the right decision has been taken to uphold the integrity of the game. Winning is important, but the way you win is more important.”
Cricket has been known as a gentleman's game. It's a game that I believe should be played in the purest form. Whatever has happened is unfortunate but the right decision has been taken to uphold the integrity of the game. Winning is important but the way you win is more important
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 28, 2018
While Tendulkar felt that it was the correct decision to ban Smith and Warner, his competitor during his playing days Shane Warne, however, said that the level of punishment didn’t match up to the crime.
“Let’s take the emotion out of it. We are all feeling angry and embarrassed. But you need a level head, and you shouldn’t destroy someone unless they deserve to be destroyed. Their actions were indefensible, and they need to be severely punished. But I don’t think a one-year ban is an answer,” Warne said.
Incidentally, Tendulkar was involved in a ball-tampering scandal during the 2001 series in South Africa. He was banned for a Test by match referee Mike Denness. However, Tendulkar maintained the stance that he was trying to clean the dirt from the ball seam. Late BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya was firmly behind Tendulkar and threatened to call off the tour. The final Test of the series was declared unofficial, and match-referee Denness was sent back home.
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