The media has been on ‘duty’ since the ball-tampering incident played out during the third Test match between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town. Former Australian cricketer Shane Warne feels it looked disgraceful the way Australian media hounded Steve Smith.
Trends and media scrutiny hasn’t helped the matter for the trio-Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. And Smith looked emotionally drowned during yesterday’s press conference in Australia.
Speaking for Sky Sports, Warne said that some of the reactions were a bit ‘over the top’.
“He is not Pablo Escobar. He hasn’t killed anyone. He’s a guy that’s made a mistake. An error of judgment. To see him being man-handled at airports, being attacked, it is like the dogs are all over him. I think it is a disgraceful behaviour from them.” Warne said.
“I think the way he has fronted up to the media has been completely honest, he has been up front and he has been emotional.
Smith breaks down, Warne blames PM
Smith admitted full responsibility for the ball-tampering incident. The former skipper also said that it is important to see the consequences while taking a serious call.”You can see how much it means to him. Breaking down at press conferences and that’s because he’s feeling for his mistake he made. Smith has paid the consequences which I think has been way over the top.”
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnball had earlier urged the sport to clean the dirt and its image. He had called the ‘sandpaper gate’ saga as a “shocking affront to Australia”.
“I think it is partly because the Prime Minister, coming out and saying: ‘this is ridiculous what’s happening’. It has brought so much extra on to what has happened. It’s been away over the top.” Warne said.
The spin legend said that the punishment hasn’t fit the crime, throwing his support for Smith. “Yes, we don’t condone it in any way, shape or form. It was the wrong thing to do. Also, it is embarrassing and disappointing. I don’t think the punishment has fit the crime. It’s probably about an eight-million-dollar fine for the guys, for their loss of income. I think it’s been way over the top, for me.” Warne said.
“Australian media should be taken to task to for the way they’ve handled Steve Smith and the players going back to Australia. It’s disgraceful.” he added.
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