World reacts to tamper disgrace

THE cricket world reacted with shock and outrage to revelations of Australia’s premeditated attempt to cheat against South Africa and the English newspapers have had a field day on their backpages.

Michael Clarke was among the millions of Australians waking up on Sunday to headlines and news bulletins they could scarcely believe.

“WHAT THE ........ HAVE I JUST WOKEN UP TO. Please tell me this is a bad dream,” Clarke posted on Twitter.

“SHAMED”, reads the headline in The Sunday Times

Australia’s spectacularly acrimonious series with South Africa took its most dramatic and serious twist yesterday when in an extraordinary public confession Steve Smith, the Australia captain, admitted his side deliberately tried to tamper with the condition of the ball on the third day of the third Test match in Cape Town in an orchestrated attempt to gain an advantage.

“TARNISHED AUSTRALIA’S REPUTATION”, reads the Independent

“The incident, which has tarnished Australia’s reputation on the international stage, took place during South Africa’s second innings and the International Cricket Council [ICC] has already charged Bancroft, with Smith admitting that it was a decision taken by the “leadership group” within the team.”

The four-Test series between Australia and South Africa has been marred by a handful of ugly controversies, starting with a staircase stoush between David Warner and Quinton de Kock.

There isn’t exactly a good time for such an incident to unfold but it could hardly have been timed more poorly for Smith’s side and Cricket Australia. On the field, the series was locked 1-1 and the team’s desperation to win has overridden their moral compasses.

Off the field, CA has been trying to improve the image of its side while lodging an official complaint about the vile nature of abuse from South African spectators.