Australian Tour of South Africa

[Lightning McQueen]

I don't rate it, the tracks had been getting a little rickety and hazardous for some time, the train finally derailed and came to a halt, our cricketers have been nothing short of embarrassing lately under the Smith/Warner regime.

[Yangebup]

David Warner has broken his silence in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked Australian cricket.

The disgraced former vice-captain wrote the following message on social media:

To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I am currently on my way back to Sydney.

Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket.

I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it.

I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans.

Its a stain on the game we all love and I have loved since I was a boy.

I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers. You will hear from me in a few days.

Warner was found to have been responsible for the "development of a plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball", and "instruction to a junior player to carry out a plan".

The 31-year-old was also charged with providing advice to a junior player on how to tamper with the ball "including demonstrating how it could be done".

Warner also misled the Newlands match officials by concealing his knowledge of and involvement in the plan and did not voluntarily report his involvement.

[whufc]

Hated the footage of Smith being escorted at the airport

His not a murderer

[tigerpie]

The Geeves article was rubbish!
The blame lays squarely at Bancroft not CA. He could've and should've said piss off!
He effectively sacrificed his career on international TV in the dumbest cheating attempt ever.
The punishments fit the crime although i think Bancroft is very lucky.
I would hope playing club cricket doesn't equate to their 100 hours unless they are volunteering in the canteen on Sundays or coach juniors, selling raffle tickets, cooking barbys etc......and this must be logged accurately!

[Grenville]

Who would've picked that Warner was nothing but a cancer on Australian cricket, I detested the cretin from day one. How people were seduced by this arsewipe is beyond me.

[Jim05]

Smith will take this further IMO. Can see him getting a reduction on his ban.

[northerner]

Who would've picked that Warner was nothing but a cancer on Australian cricket, I detested the cretin from day one. How people were seduced by this arsewipe is beyond me.

Because he was good... simple. Not a good reason but it is what it is.

[locky801]

Smith will take this further IMO. Can see him getting a reduction on his ban.

Smith was guilty of covering up, being naive and not strong enough to stand up to Warner IMO, if he had come out at that first press conference and said what he has alleged to have told the ACB his penalty would have been at least halved. Steve SMITH IMHO is not a cheat, just a very gullible young man that thought he was doing the right thing to the media when this all came to light, unfortunately he was only digging himself a hole and a bloody big one at that.

As for the other two, I have no sympathy whatsoever

[Grenville]

Who would've picked that Warner was nothing but a cancer on Australian cricket, I detested the cretin from day one. How people were seduced by this arsewipe is beyond me.

Because he was good... simple. Not a good reason but it is what it is.

Not having a crack at you lad but the signs were there from day one. He was dickhead from day one, just had an exceptional eye. On the basis of that, despite not earning his stripes through consistent Shield success he was gifted a Test spot. Was proven time and again with very few exceptions if the pitch wasn't flat he wasn't worth a pinch of shit. His attitude was always shithouse, as he gained more fame he became even more of a cockhead. He destroyed kids games thinking they could emulate him, a quick slogged 20 off 12 being better than a patient 20 off 40. He has damaged a generation, hopefully not irreparably. Good riddance and f*** off.

[northerner]

Who would've picked that Warner was nothing but a cancer on Australian cricket, I detested the cretin from day one. How people were seduced by this arsewipe is beyond me.

Because he was good... simple. Not a good reason but it is what it is.

Not having a crack at you lad but the signs were there from day one. He was dickhead from day one, just had an exceptional eye. On the basis of that, despite not earning his stripes through consistent Shield success he was gifted a Test spot. Was proven time and again with very few exceptions if the pitch wasn't flat he wasn't worth a pinch of shit. His attitude was always shithouse, as he gained more fame he became even more of a cockhead. He destroyed kids games thinking they could emulate him, a quick slogged 20 off 12 being better than a patient 20 off 40. He has damaged a generation, hopefully not irreparably. Good riddance and f*** off.

Do not disagree with your sentiments...esp now as he has effen destroyed my and my boys hero... i just gave the answer to why warner was given so much rope... and the bastard is the only who one isnt fronting media.. and by the sound of things the one most likely to appeal. Bastard.

[northerner]

Having just watched smiths presser i am almost as devastated as he is. And I am sure he is taking more responsibility for this than he needs to. And I am sure his earnestness in taking on this responsibility would have led CA towards their lengthy ban. Heres a fact... if he had played the Boof defence no one would have called him out and he would be playing tomorrow.
I will be standing and applauding when he next walks out to the wicket.

[whufc]

Couldn't get through the Smith presser

Once he serves his suspension he will have my forgiveness (not that it counts for anything)

We have all f**ked up before

[Grenville]

If any positives can be taken from this it's hopefully Australian cricket will flush its turds from the game, Smith will finally grow up as a result of this and become a responsible adult, and Warner will never be seen representing Australia again.

[batmanbegins]

That presser was incredibly hard to watch! Feel for smith and hope he comes through this alright. He will be back in time for the 2019 ashes in England and even as an English supporter I hope he is walking out for the 1st test of that series.

[whufc]

If Smith can serve his suspension with dignity, commit to all the requirements set out, work hard and get back into the test side. On that day he will receive a standing ovation from me!!

[carey]

Having just watched smiths presser i am almost as devastated as he is. And I am sure he is taking more responsibility for this than he needs to. And I am sure his earnestness in taking on this responsibility would have led CA towards their lengthy ban. Heres a fact... if he had played the Boof defence no one would have called him out and he would be playing tomorrow.
I will be standing and applauding when he next walks out to the wicket.

As shattered as he is he was captain and had prior knowledge to the incident and didn’t stop it then tried to cover it up. Deserves the ban.

[Grenville]

Having just watched smiths presser i am almost as devastated as he is. And I am sure he is taking more responsibility for this than he needs to. And I am sure his earnestness in taking on this responsibility would have led CA towards their lengthy ban. Heres a fact... if he had played the Boof defence no one would have called him out and he would be playing tomorrow.
I will be standing and applauding when he next walks out to the wicket.

As shattered as he is he was captain and had prior knowledge to the incident and didn’t stop it then tried to cover it up. Deserves the ban.

Two out of the three guilty seem to have genuine remorse for their actions and have realised the ramifications of their stupidity. Hopefully they can redeem themselves when the time comes, the other filth can rot.

[Grenville]

That press conference was pretty full on, I reckon we will see a different character emerge out of this. A more mature, responsible and socially aware Steve Smith. I never doubted his passion for the game, this has been a horrible wakeup call though.

[Booney]

That was impossible to watch. He's a broken man.

[Grenville]

That was impossible to watch. He's a broken man.

Yep, the magnitude of his actions have hit home hard.