BALL-TAMPERING SAGA

Australian team left facing the great unknown

by Tristan Lavalette • Last updated on

Smith's golden future suddenly looks uncertain © Getty

Even James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's (CA) chief executive, admitted Australia's trio of culprits had cheated. And, yes, it was actually sandpaper all along. All the dirty deeds were revealed on Wednesday (March 28) as Australian cricket continues to come to grips with the nasty fallout of the ugly ball tampering scandal.

Steve Smith and David Warner, the disgraced former Australian leaders, have been banned for 12 months. The length of the punishments was no surprise but the findings of CA's internal investigation further tarnishes Smith and Warner along with Cameron Bancroft, who received a nine-month ban after going through with the clumsy plan to tamper with the condition of the ball.

Even though past perpetrators of ball tampering had been merely sanctioned by ICC's innocuous penalties, CA knew it had to be far harsher with the Australian team's reputation, particularly at home, at an all-time low after a succession of controversies. The outrage emanating out of Australia, particularly from sponsors, made it impossible for CA to tread lightly.

The length of Warner's suspension was almost trivial. He has emerged as the instigator of the plot and directed Bancroft on how to go about the deception. Such is his reportedly low standing with teammates and CA officials, there is a prevailing belief that Warner has almost certainly played his final match for Australia - there doesn't appear any salvation for the 31-year-old. It's been a stunning fall from grace for Warner, who just last month was being lauded for his captaincy in the T20 tri-series.

Smith might be granted a bit more leeway but the findings are not flattering for the tarnished former captain. He failed to do anything about Warner's concoction of the plot and then, immaturely, attempted to talk his way out of it to the umpires and the public during his contradictory press conference.

It always loomed as one of the toughest challenges of his captaincy to tame the notably erratic Warner and, even though he was seemingly doing well for a while, Smith was toothless to stop his vice-captain's brainless plan. Quite clearly, Smith didn't have the fortitude of conviction like many of his predecessors.

Maybe, Smith just didn't have the requisite leadership traits all along and it appears he will never get another chance in the role even though he will be allowed to captain in two years. As the dust eventually settles, Smith will most likely be viewed a little more favourably as the anger subsides and, at just 28, he still has time for a resurrection but his once wholesome image has forever been tarnished.

While everyone else was cleared outside the trio, question marks continue to hover over Darren Lehmann, who remains coach for now. He was reportedly set to resign on Tuesday before being cleared by the investigation leading to a chorus of widespread derision.

CA are satisfied Lehmann was in the dark as he attempted to find answers during his much analysed walkie talkie message to 12th man Peter Handscomb. Sceptics remain, but Lehmann's version of events was ultimately accepted by CA head of integrity Iain Roy.

However, CA has revealed it will launch an independent 'culture review' which is set to scrutinise Lehmann, who has been at the helm of a spiralling of behaviour from his increasingly boorish team. His penchant for machoism helped fuel some favourable results on-field but looks to have contributed to an erosion of culture and standards, which has bitten the team badly now.

With Smith and Warner banished for at least 12 months, the Australian team faces the great unknown. Rightfully, the on-field implications have been neglected but the team's uncertain future will come back into focus when the fourth Test against South Africa starts on Friday.

For the first time in more than six years, Australia will be without both Smith and Warner, who have been the heartbeat of the team's batting in recent years. Even with them, Australia's batting felt shaky and, now, it feels jarringly brittle. For the first time in an eternity, Australia will be without a star batsman after a charmed run where they always seemed to have an all-time great in the lineup.

In a silver lining, it will be a chance for Australia's much maligned batting reserves to finally stand up and be counted. Youngsters Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Travis Head will likely each get their turn at some stage, while mercurial players Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns are set to receive golden opportunities to re-start their stalled Test careers.

Undoubtedly, it will be a vulnerable period for Australia, particularly in the Test arena. A tricky tour of Pakistan (either in the UAE or Malaysia) is on the cards later in the year before a home summer highlighted by a four-Test series against India. Suddenly, India will fancy their chances of breaking their drought in Australia.

The future looks bleak as the Smith captaincy reign, which promised so much, ends in heartbreak. The golden boy, who had been compared to Bradman, was on track to lead Australia back into a golden age but the lust of winning at all costs has triggered an unfathomable downfall.

Undoubtedly, it will take a long time for Australian cricket to recover from this sordid mess.

© Cricbuzz

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