Since Australia’s tour to South Africa, there seems no respite for Australian players on and off the field. In the wake of the ball-tampering case, Steven Smith and David Warner’s friendship has turned out to be sour.
According to the leading British Newspaper Daily Telegraph in a bid to avoid any latest fiasco Smith and Warner touched down in Sydney after boarding separate airlines on March 29.
Moreover, both star batsmen were visibly shaken. The ball-tamperer Cameron Bancroft briefed the gathering at Sydney Airport on Thursday.
However, in his social media statement, the explosive opener has openly accepted his involvement which further saw his wife Candice Warner breaking down.
“Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it,” Warner wrote.
Warner made his appearance at the Sydney Airport after crestfallen Smith’s emotional press conference.
“At the moment, my priority is to get these kids in bed and rest up and let my mind be clear so I can think and talk to you in a couple of days,” Australian media quoted Warner.
Earlier, the Board sanctioned both cricketers for one year, as Bancroft is serving the nine-month ban.
On the other side, Warner maintained he is looking forward to taking care of his family before holding a press conference on Saturday (March 31).
“As you can understand, it’s been a tough and an emotional time for my wife and the kids. At this present time, you’ll hear from me in a couple of days,” Warned maintained.
Owing to the relations, the toxic seeped amid the friendship between Smith and Warner. The speculations are doing the rounds that the professionals might not be allowed to represent the same team in the foreseeable future.
According to the narrative, David is said to behind the plan of ‘Sandpaper Gate’ in which Bancroft became a scapegoat.
Also, Steven Smith made the admission during a press conference at Newlands that it was a ‘leadership group’ tactic.
The incident took place during the penultimate Test when Bancroft was seen changing the condition of the ball.
Moreover, the 25-year-old Bancroft stuffed the evidence in his trousers. Before the perplexed coach, Darren Lehmann instructed twelfth man Peter Handscomb on a walkie-talkie to check what’s going wrong on the field.
The pair is said to have developed rift after underhand tactics were caught on camera during the third Test on day three.
Smith has been serving as Australian leader, and Warner served the country as his deputy of late.
Interestingly, both won’t be able to lead the team for next 24 months following the latest verdict from Cricket Australia.
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