Banned trio no closer to field
CRICKET Australia is refusing to budge on Steve Smith and David Warner’s suspensions despite the cultural review condemning the very basis for why the sanctions were so heavy-handed.
At a limp press conference in Melbourne yesterday, besieged chairman David Peever declared he would not stand down, or even admit any personal embarrassment for overseeing a culture at Cricket Australia defined as “controlling”, “arrogant”, “dictatorial” and “bullying”.
The comprehensive cultural review handed down by Simon Longstaff emphasised that Warner’s role in influencing the more junior Cameron Bancroft into sandpapering a ball in Cape Town, while captain Smith turned a blind eye, was only the “reported facts”.
The full story is that a “web of influences” lay “below the surface” and that Cricket Australia administrators must also take responsibility for the national disgrace.
Aside from saying “sorry” to cricket fans, almost the only thing Peever did admit to yesterday was that Smith, Warner and Bancroft were handed unprecedented bans for balltampering on the specific rationale that they were deemed by Cricket Australia’s board to be the only three individuals responsible for bringing the game into disrepute.
“Yes as we have said before there was a full investigation and that was the outcome of the investigation,” said Peever.
But the Longstaff review has sensationally debunked that theory, and the players’ union has launched a bid to have the penalties reduced on the basis that the trio have been penalised disproportionately to Cricket Australia administrators, who have walked away unscathed.
“This is extremely significant, as there is now independent verification that the system and culture were contributing factors,” said ACA president Greg Dyer.
“Given this, there must be a reconsideration of the harshness of the penalties.”
Despite the cultural review questioning the appropriateness of Smith, Warner and Bancroft being the only individuals accountable, Peever said the board would under no circumstances reconsider.