No place for cheats, says cricket fan Theresa

THERESA May slammed Australia for cheating at cricket yesterday amid the escalating crisis surrounding the sport.

The cricket-loving Prime Minister said she was “shocked” and “bitterly disappointed” after disgraced captain Steve Smith admitted overseeing an illegal ball-tampering plot during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town at the weekend.

Cameron Bancroft, 25, was caught on TV trying to alter the condition of the ball with a piece of tape covered in dirt, before trying to hide the tape down the front of his trousers.

Her official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is clear that cheating has absolutely no place in cricket or indeed in any sport.”

Strip

Mrs May – who grew up listening to Test Match Special – said she agreed with Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull who branded the incident “completely beyond belief”.

Last night cricket chiefs were under pressure to strip Smith, 28, of his captaincy.

The world’s top batsman quit as skipper of Indian Premier League side Rajasthan Royals, with whom he has a £1.3million contract. Their season starts next week.

Smith, whose mother Gillian was born in Kent, has dual nationality and once considered playing for England.

Gillian emigrated after marrying Australian biochemist Peter Smith.