Steve Harmison believes Australia batsman Steve Smith will forever be remembered as a cheat regardless of his achievements in the game.

Smith was banned from international cricket for 12 months, along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, for his role in the ‘Sandgate’ saga in South Africa.

Upon his return, the former Aussie captain has re-established himself as the single greatest Test batsman in the world right now.

Getty Images - Getty 1 Smith averages a staggering 63.2 runs in Test matches

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He has resumed his role as England’s chief tormentor, hitting at least 50 in every innings during this summer’s Ashes series, including a sensational double hundred in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

But despite Smith’s heroics with the bat, which will see him go down as one of the all-time greats, Harmison insists nothing will ever repair the batsman’s legacy after he ordered his team to cheat in South Africa.

“I don’t think you can forgive him,” Harmison told talkSPORT.

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“When you’re known as a cheat – and he is, I’m not going to sugar-coat it – that’s on your CV. You’re marked and you take it to the grave.

“Whatever Steve Smith does, he’ll always be remembered for what happened in South Africa.

“That’s something he’s got to live with. I can’t see anyone’s opinion changing on Smith, Bancroft, or Warner – because they’ve tarnished the game.”