Aussies to go ethical route

– Cricket Australia (CA) yesterday appointed an ethics guru to review the sport’s culture in the wake of the cheating scandal that has rocked “the gentleman’s game”.

The governing body said it wanted to ensure there was never a repeat of the conduct during the third Test against South Africa in March that tarnished Australian cricket’s reputation.

“We understand and share the disappointment of fans and the broader Australian community regarding these events,” CA chairman David Peever said in a statement.

“The board is determined to do all we can to prevent such events from ever happening again.”

During the match in Cape Town, captain Steve Smith, David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft plotted to tamper with the ball using sandpaper, and in the process earning themselves lengthy suspensions.

Coach Darren Lehmann also resigned amid criticism he allowed a win-at-all-costs attitude to flourish that gave rise to the cheating scandal.

CA has acknowledged cultural issues within the team and yesterday said Simon Longstaff would conduct a wide-ranging review into the sport.

Longstaff is head of Sydney-based non-profit organisation The Ethics Centre, which aims to promote ethical decision-making in business, government and everyday life.

He is expected to quiz current and former players, administrators, media and sponsors about ethical issues facing the sport before making recommendations.

Longstaff’s review will run in tandem with a separate probe announced last month into player behaviour headed by former Test batsman Rick McCosker.

McCosker will work with former players to formulate a charter on player behaviour balancing the demands of elite cricket with public expectations about the way such role models should act.

Peever said CA wanted to implement recommendations from both the Longstaff and McCosker reviews in time for the 2018-19 season. –

Sydney