Former England skipper Alastair Cook termed it ‘sad’ for gentleman’s game. He recorded his statement after witnessing Australian skipper and opener batsman Cameron Bancroft admitting of tampering the ball.
“You live and die by the sword,” Cook told BBC’s Test Match Special.
The 33-year-old Gloucester-born Cook termed the star players are bound to play the game within rules and regulations.
“The guys who are in the limelight have a responsibility to play cricket in the right way. It’s sad for cricket,” Cook said.
The public reaction of left-handed batsman Cook over the recent saw him suggested the players are supposed to be within limits.
“We have to play by the rules. As captain, you are responsible for the other 10 guys and are the public figure for that,” Cook maintained.
Pertinently, the incident happened during the second session of day three of the Cape Town Test. Bancroft was caught on Tv camera while tampering with the ball.
On the other side, the leading run scorer in Test fold for England, Cook has cited the example of England’s struggle in the pink-ball Test in Auckland. He hinted what has been deemed as wrongdoing must not be a choice of tactic for the team.
“There are days when things don’t go your way – and the first day here in Auckland was a prime example of that – but there is always a way to get back into the game,” Cook said.
The exciting batsman, later on, revealed it was the yellow type which he went on to hide in his trousers.
So much so, the grains from the pitch were used over the ball with the help of a tape.
Early in his international cricket, the Test specialist Bancroft remarked he panicked more after witnessing the footage on a giant screen.
During the presser, Bancroft alongside Smith admittedly publicly while stating it was ’embarrassing.’
Interestingly, Smith went on to remark it was purely a team tactic during a break. However, both remarked that there was no involvement of any of the coaches.
Owing to the fiasco, which further saw Bancroft openly trying to scuff the ball, Alastair Cook said right prospect must adhere to the gentleman’s game.
While admitting they bring the disrepute into the game, Smith extended his apology.
The shocking admission of both the cricketers; Smith and Bancroft have further angered the cricket fans worldwide. Moreover, stated the skipper must face the music after the folly.
Somewhat expressing the empathy, Cook, who served the Three Lions as a leader believes it would not have been easy for Smith.
“I’m sure Steve Smith is not in a very comfortable position – and in one sense you do feel for him, because I know what the pressure is like as captain of a country,” Cook Concluded.
Here’s the newsfeed:
India will field a strong team against Afghanistan: Vinod Rai
IPL 2018: Stephen Fleming To Join CSK Camp Next Week