Australian Tour of South Africa

[Corona Man]

Never been in an international changeroom but why is there sandpaper getting around in there

Has the yellow piece of paper been found and proven to be tape?
Or is it sandpaper as it appears?

Either way it’s blatant cheating.

It is apparently tape with a sticky adhesive which was used like sandpaper by placing bits of dirt/turf on it. When Bancroft realised the game was up, he slipped the tape down the front of his strides... in his junk. I for one am not going looking for it now.

[DoublebluTiger]

If interested and you have a device that can get AM radio, ABC station newsradio is currently doing a 1 hour special on the situation. Just spoke to Jim Maxwell, currently playing press conference, Gideon Haigh, Kim Hughes, John Bertrand for a wider view etc.

This will be followed by a live cross to the James Sutherland press conference at 11.30 am (SA time).

Jim Maxwell said it's up there for worst thing occuring in cricket he's experienced.

[amber_fluid]

Now coming to light maybe boof played a role as well

Apparently sent the 12th man out to tell Bancroft to hide it

Very disappointing, if that's the case, Boof's a better bloke and cricket person that that. Needs to be punished with equal (if not greater) force.

If Lehmann is involved he needs to be sacked ASAP.

[DoublebluTiger]

Can't wait for the Brett Geeves response to this situation

[whufc]

Very dark day in Aussie cricket

With AFL X looking to expand into summer and if soccer ever got its shit together with the amount of junior pull it has (soccer will fluff up somehow) could this major and wider implications for test cricket in this country.

[valleys07]

The darkest day in Australian Test Cricket history.

Whoever was involved in hatching/execution of the plan should be sent home.

Absolute disgrace.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Oh my.....in this day and age of cameras why anyone, let alone the leadership group of a major test playing nation would even consider, let alone follow through with it is just a ******* disgrace.
I didnt think Boof would stoop so low....

Disheartening.

[RustyCage]

Chadd Sayers to debut as captain #fakenews

[FlyingHigh]

At first I felt like others that Bancroft was put in an untenable situation by his leaders, but now I'm changing my thoughts on that.

He's 25, only 4-5 years younger than the leaders who he would have had contact with over the years through the cricket system, he should have been able to stand up for himself if he has the requisite morals, which you'd find hard to understand how anyone couldn't given this is an act that kids are bought up with not to do and is reinforced at international level from time to time. It's not like he is a 18 or 19 year old new to a footy club out on the piss with a group of teammates and done something vulgar or got in a fight or said something rude to a woman.

[RustyCage]

Agreed, he isn’t young, but his spot in the team is the most fragile. When the leadership group and coach tell you to do something, you’d feel obliged

[PatowalongaPirate]

If the players and staff thought the abuse they have copped so far this Test is bad, wait until tonight.

Big chance it will be a full house now.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Sutherland looks a shattered man

[Magellan]

Agreed, he isn’t young, but his spot in the team is the most fragile. When the leadership group and coach tell you to do something, you’d feel obliged

Indeed. Easy to say he should've told the leadership group he didn't want to be involved, but that's not the culture of Australian sporting teams - you do what the captain tell you to do (viz. the underarm incident), particularly when your position in the team is vulnerable.

This is what makes the tactic such a weak and cowardly act - Smith should've done it himself if he thought it was such as great idea, rather than pick on the weakest link.

[whufc]

Agreed, he isn’t young, but his spot in the team is the most fragile. When the leadership group and coach tell you to do something, you’d feel obliged

Indeed. Easy to say he should've told the leadership group he didn't want to be involved, but that's not the culture of Australian sporting teams - you do what the captain tell you to do (viz. the underarm incident), particularly when your position in the team is vulnerable.

This is what makes the tactic such a weak and cowardly act - Smith should've done it himself if he thought it was such as great idea, rather than pick on the weakest link.

Agree but either way they both have to go!

Put simply I can't believe how 'dumb' they have been!!

I don't buy the pressure agurment as to why the Aussies did this. Yes I have never played international cricket but in our own world the level of cricket we play is our 'international cricket'. We put internal pressure on ourselves to perform, we have our own internal coaches etc to impress, we have our own club legends we want to impress.

Yes it's there job and massive income but there in a luckier position in which failure means still playing a sport you love at a reasonable pay packet for your state. If I lose my primar job I'm most likely out the company and looking for a brand new job.

This has been a disgrace

[RustyCage]

Anything come of the press conference?

[FlyingHigh]

Agreed, he isn’t young, but his spot in the team is the most fragile. When the leadership group and coach tell you to do something, you’d feel obliged

The irony of that is with the likely fallout he could have bought himself more time in the team by refusing.

[No kidding]

This Australian Cricket team has been finally outed for what it really is under the leadership of Smith and Warner.
A mob of overpaid Prima Donna's that totally disrespect the great cricketers that have come before them with a total disregard for the respect and. Integrity of the game.
Unfortunately the innocent ones will be tarnished with the cheats for life.

Smith now goes from one of the worlds best bats to a cheat.
Warner, why don't you just **** off and be a T20 mercenary so the baggy green can get some credibility back.

As a passionate cricketer and Australian I have questioned myself how I just couldn't take to this Australian team even when pumping the Poms recently..
Now I know why sadly !!!

A very sad day for Australian Cricket

[PatowalongaPirate]

Agreed, he isn’t young, but his spot in the team is the most fragile. When the leadership group and coach tell you to do something, you’d feel obliged

Indeed. Easy to say he should've told the leadership group he didn't want to be involved, but that's not the culture of Australian sporting teams - you do what the captain tell you to do (viz. the underarm incident), particularly when your position in the team is vulnerable.

This is what makes the tactic such a weak and cowardly act - Smith should've done it himself if he thought it was such as great idea, rather than pick on the weakest link.

Spot on my Explorer friend. Instructing your player to cheat is abhorrent and he has carefully picked his target here. He knew Bancroft would fall into line if it gave him a firmer grip on a Test spot.

[BoundaryRider84]

Call me stupid, but who is makes up the leadership group apart from Smith and Warner?

[RustyCage]

Call me stupid, but who is makes up the leadership group apart from Smith and Warner?

Starc and Hazelwood