BALL TAMPERING SAGA

Talking Points: How Australian cricket stands to lose its 'shine'

by Tristan Lavalette • Last updated on

Australia are expected to be without Smith and Warner for the final Test. © Getty

Almost inevitably, a deflated Australia - with the guillotine hanging over their heads - crumbled meekly late on Day 4 in Cape Town on Sunday (March 25). But it hardly mattered anymore. The game had become farcical and played amid sombre spirits by the Australians. It was jarring to see them play so lifelessly with wickets barely even celebrated. Everyone knew, this was the end of an era. No one quite knows what Cricket Australia (CA) will do as they undergo an internal investigation but undoubtedly it will slap harsher penalties than the ICC - which suspended Steve Smith for one Test and fined Cameron Bancroft.

The Australian cricket team has been roasted worldwide and are a laughing stock, not even spared by their compatriots. Unavoidably, there was a lot of anger from the Australians in the aftermath of the revelations but the overwhelming sentiment is a feeling of hurt and disappointment.

In the sports-obsessed country, Australian cricket team for so long, had been a mirror to the populace. Their antics, particularly in regards to sledging, often raised eyebrows but most overlooked the bluster because there was a feeling that the team played hard but fair.

Suddenly, everything has turned upside down after Bancroft was caught red-handed and no one quite knows what to believe anymore. Smith's press conference after Day 3 was fairly vague and reports have come out of the UK that England are dubious of Australia's ability to conjure reverse swing during the Ashes.

Whether it's fair or not, suddenly the Smith captaincy reign has been cast into doubt with an asterisk placed next to it. Australia's hypocrisy has been exposed and their penchant for taking the moral high ground on issues - notably, David Warner during 'Mintgate' - is now seen as a punchline.

Right now, no one particularly wants to watch the series anymore but the fourth Test will go on. James Sutherland, CA chief executive, is heading to South Africa and has announced that the outcomes of the internal investigation are expected on Tuesday night (South Africa time). Until then, everything remains murky.

Here is a rundown of the main figures and talking points of the scandal that has derailed Australian cricket.

Steve Smith's initial naivety

During that extraordinary presser after Day 3, Smith bullishly said he would not step down from the captaincy. Quite clearly, he was not bracing for the comprehensive backlash heading his way. It showed how naive he was of the situation and his complete misread of its gravity. It was indicative of the arrogance of the team, which clearly thought they could get away with it even though the actual ploy was pretty brainless.

Now sinking under a tsunami, Smith is almost certainly going to lose the captaincy and could face a lengthy suspension. CA has the authority to impose a lifetime ban but that extreme measure is unlikely. If he does get slapped with a lengthy suspension - in the 6-12 month range - then that could see him banished from CA's central contracts' list that expires on April 30.

Smith's stepping down as captain for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League is a sign of what could be ahead. The 28-year-old is tipped to lose his personal sponsorships too as his image continues to slip to an all-time low.

Suspensions for David Warner/Cameron Bancroft?

Bancroft has been fined by the ICC but not suspended. However, he and Warner - who is believed to be a key figure in hatching the plan - are also likely to be suspended and could miss the fourth Test in Johannesburg. Bancroft, being the junior member of the team, could be granted some leeway as he appears to have been a patsy. But Warner will almost certainly be stripped of the vice-captaincy and, like Smith, is expected to be handed a lengthy suspension.

The untenable position of Darren Lehmann

Lehmann's position appears untenable. In the presser, Smith said none of the coaches played a role but, even if that is the case, Lehmann - a renowned hands-on coach - has been at the helm of a team that has clearly lost their way.

Since his appointment in 2013, Lehmann has spiked Australia's machoism, and the team's behaviour has increasingly slipped ever since. For some time now, there have been red flags - the Durban Test being a notable example - and it has now finally blown up with this ugly episode.

Maybe he was in the dark over this misguided plan, but Lehmann has much to answer for Australia's festering culture and arrogant veneer. The problems in the team are deep-seated and Lehmann needs to take a large dose of responsibility for that.

If Lehmann does get the boot, Justin Langer is the hot favourite to become the coach. The highly respected former Test batsman was appointed Western Australia's coach in 2012 after cultural issues plagued the team. He installed a values system which helped transform the team highlighted by the Perth Scorchers being the powerhouse of the Big Bash League. Langer, a hard taskmaster, would be faced with a similar rebuild with the Australian team.

Langer has long been seen as the successor for Lehmann, who has publically stated that he was going to step down after the 2019 Ashes. That change looks likely 18 months earlier than expected.

Cricket Australia's myriad challenges

The governing body is under major scrutiny with James Sutherland, the chief executive, facing the heat. The long-time boss is up against his toughest challenge in 17 years and how he handles the saga could determine his own future with sponsors fuming at the revelations.

Major sponsor Magellan has threatened to pull out if it isn't satisfied with how the saga is handled, increasing the likelihood that CA will be tough on the culprits.

The scandal has come at a horrible time for CA with a new television deal being negotiated. CA had been hoping to double the rights to around AUD 1 billion but that figure looks unlikely - mainly due to the instability of Australian television media but also undoubtedly the scandal has damaged the sport's reputation in the country and is set to cost CA some bargaining power.

Future of the fourth Test; more heads may roll

There have been suggestions that Australia should forfeit the final Test and return home collectively in disgrace. Right now, the fourth Test is not in jeopardy.

Australia will be without Smith, and most likely Warner and Bancroft. Others could also be suspended depending on the outcome of CA's internal investigation. Joe Burns, Matthew Renshaw and George Bailey - who are all playing the Sheffield Shield final - are in line to fly to South Africa.

Tim Paine will continue as the interim captain.

© Cricbuzz

TAGS

RELATED STORIES