Life bans will be too harsh: Nehra
NEW DELHI: Deposed Australia skipper Steve Smith and deputy David Warner are bracing for fresh sanctions from their cricket board for cheating over the balltampering scandal that has rocked the team in South Africa.
However, the two found some backing on Monday with former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra commending Smith for publicly admitting to the ‘leadership role’ in Cameron Bancroft using a sticky tape to try and alter the condition of the ball. “All have different views,” the left-arm pacer said at a promotional event for Royal Challengers Bangalore. “If they have done some thing wrong, ICC will punish them. (But) I give credit to Smith because he has admitted to making a mistake… They (officials) should keep these things aside and move forward.”
The immediate concern is whether Smith and Warner, will be even able to play in the IPL starting April
7. Nehra, who played under Warner and was part of SRH during its 2016 run to the title, said it would be sad if players of their quality go out of IPL.
“You won’t see tampering in T20. You see that in Tests. These things will be there. It will be sad if any IPL team loses a guy like Smith or Warner, considering the kind of players they are.”
Nehra, who has taken over as RCB’S bowling coach this season, said he did not condone ball-tampering. “Even stealing is an art,” he said when suggested that pressure to prepare the ball to reverseswing was at the heart of tampering attempts. If you are hardworking, you will perform better, although unlike other sports you can’t practice on the pitch you will play, which is an issue while preparing.” said, ‘I was frustrated (not getting wickets)’. These things can happen while playing abroad.”
Australian cricket was not merely about the tampering scandal, or sledging, he added. “Australia have always played hard cricket, though crossing the line is not a good thing.
“MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have also performed, but are very different people. Virat, for instance, is very animated. Smith and Warner are not just talking, but performing too, which we should not forget. Smith and Warner have lost their captaincy and vice-captaincy. I don’t think it should make a difference in IPL. We should move forward. I’m nobody, but life ban will be very harsh for any player,” Nehra added.