Australia captain Steve Smith and his team-mate Cameron Bancroft are at the centre of a ball-tampering controversy which has brought disgrace to the cricket crazy country. The captain has admitted to ball-tampering charges with videos clearly showing Bancroft trying to roughen one side of the ball using a yellow-coloured object on the third day of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town.
The incident will cause an irreparable damage to an otherwise dominating Australia side, a team which recently blanked England 4-0 in the five-match series at home. Questions will begin to pop out over their successes. If Smith says this is the first time, why would team Australia try something ridiculous while they are on a winning spree?
The ICC Code of Conduct clearly states that no artificial substance can be used on the ball to roughen the surface, neither is the player allowed to use fingernails to scratch the glaze off the ball or interfere with the seams. The roughening of one side of the ball is usually done so that the bowler gets reverse swing making it very difficult for the batsmen to play such deliveries.
Ball tampering allegations are nothing new to cricket. India’s iconic star like Sachin Tendulkar was named in an away match against South Africa in 2001 only to be cleared subsequently by the ICC. Rahul Dravid too was named once in 2004 against Zimbabwe and had to forfeit match fees. There are several Pakistani and England cricketers who figure prominently in this hall of shame. But when the captain stands up and says that this was well-planned and executed by the team leadership, it takes ball-tampering to an altogether different level.
That the operation was planned by the entire team leadership sounds stupid to say the least. It’s like murder in full camera glare. Cricket has evolved over the years. From a game which started off with underhand bowling in the 19th century, it has moved on to use technology in a big way in the modern era. There is frame-by-frame coverage where each and every player in constantly under the spotlight, not forgetting the umpires. What is shocking is that the entire episode was well-planned despite knowing the fact that players will be constantly under the scanner. The footage that emerged not only showed Bancroft rubbing the yellow object on the ball, but also showed the player trying to first hide it in his pocket before tucking it inside his trousers.
Just like match-fixing allegations, ball-tampering too throws the game in disrepute. Fans feel let down and cheated. And when role models like Smith and Warner muddy their hands in a way they have done, it will deal a huge body blow to budding cricketers and fans alike across the world. The incident will leave an indelible black dot on the career of Smith, whose talent has drawn breathless comparisons with Aussie great Don Bradman. Also in the same measure will be vice-captain David Warner and coach Darren Lehmann who have such credible pasts.
