‘Smith must go’ insist furious players
THE Gold Coast cricket community has slammed Australia’s ball-tampering tactics, calling for captain Steve Smith and the leadership group to be sacked and suspended.
Gold Coast Dolphins head coach Damian Wallis yesterday led a chorus of prominent local figures to take aim at Australia’s Test “cheats”.
“It’s a terrible look, the fact it’s so blatant. Ball tampering is probably pretty prevalent in the game but it’s a horrible look,” Wallis said.
“The way they’ve done it is probably the most damning thing. I think these days, with all the cameras on them, it wasn’t that subtle. Stupid is probably the best way to put it.
“A lot of the other nations will be all over us because we’ve been complaining about crowds (in South Africa) and this is more significant.
“There’s definitely going to have to be questions asked (about the leadership group) and they’ll have to wait and see what comes out of the investigation. I reckon Steve Smith will probably miss games.
“It is embarrassing.” Cricket Gold Coast’s Greg Little and Burleigh captaincoach Simon Beltson echoed Wallis’ sentiments, while Helensvale Pacific Pines first grade captain Jack Lickiss described the drama as “a new low point in Aussie cricket”.
“It’s totally inexcusable and there’s going to be some people held accountable,” Lickiss, 21, said.