No sympathy for Aussies in the England camp

JOE ROOT believes the Australian cheating scandal and the worldwide reaction to it will act as a wake-up call to the whole game but is adamant England play in the right way. The England captain had little sympathy for the plights of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft when he was asked about the extraordinary affair on the eve of the second Test here but was keen to highlight the bigger picture. ‘I think Cricket Australia have made a decision that is a statement to world cricket,’ said Root of the year-long bans for Smith and Warner and the ninemonth suspension of Bancroft after the Cape Town ball-tampering saga that has rocked cricket. ‘It just shows that everyone watching the game and anyone who supports cricket that they are demonstrating how they want to see the game played. ‘In terms of the bans that was a decision Cricket Australia had to make and that’s for them to decide. But, the point is, they’ve put a marker out there not just for Australia but for world cricket and that’s a strong message for everyone.’ England can hardly be thought of as squeaky-clean, particular when one of their players has a court case hanging over him, but Root (below) said that his team do not cross the line. ‘I think we conduct ourselves pretty well in the field, he said. ‘I’m happy with that and I think you can see it. Relationships between England and New Zealand in particular have been pretty good for a number of years and it’s the same with a number of countries we play against. This is a reminder of how important it is we continue in this way.’ There has been some sympathy for the plights of Smith and Bancroft — but absolutely none for the loathsome Warner — and it was interesting that Root did not show them any support. ‘Everyone will have their own opinion of it,’ said Root. ‘I’m not going to say what people should think and do. They can make their minds up on it themselves. Cricket Australia have dealt with it how they wanted to. ‘All I have to do is look after this team and make sure we do everything in the right manner.’