Stain needs to be removed quickly

CRICKET is often described as the only game that truly unites our country.

That became obvious yesterday with the universal condemnation of Australia’s Test captain Steve Smith and those involved in the ball- tampering incident in South Africa.

Everyone in Australia seems to have an opinion on the incident and it is impossible to find anyone who does not believe Smith should be sacked along with anyone else identified to have been involved in the decision to cheat.

The team’s administrative and coaching staff also have to pay a high price.

This incident is considered to be a reflection of a bad culture in the team which has existed for some time and needs to be changed.

Now is the opportunity to do so. However, it should have been done a long time ago.

Those who allowed this culture to evolve to this level also need to be held to account.

The incident has been widely described as a disgraceful act and has left a nation feeling angry and even embarrassed.

It is difficult to understand how this plan to cheat was hatched in the first place and then was allowed to be carried out without someone putting their hand up and saying: “This is a bad idea.”

Did they seriously think they would get away with it?

The lack of good judgment shown by all involved is staggering.

As Australians, we love our sport. We play hard and go all- out to win.

But we want to do so fairly and squarely, not by gaining an advantage through cheating.

This incident has left an ugly stain on Australian cricket.

It needs to be removed quickly and steps put in place to ensure it does not happen again.