Can’t fault my boys: Juve coach
SYDNEY: Former captain Steve Smith said Wednesday he desperately wants to play for Australia again but will not be challenging a 12-month ban for a balltampering scandal that rocked cricket. Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft echoed similar sentiments, saying he was determined to earn back the trust of the Australian public.
Cricket Australia last week suspended Smith and David Warner from all international and domestic cricket for a year, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months over the incident during the third Test in South Africa.
All three players have admitted what they did was wrong and a wave of sympathy has been growing for Smith since his public apology, during which he broke down in tears. The trio had until Thursday to tell Cricket Australia whether they accepted their punishment or would opt for a hearing, as is their right.
Warner has yet to comment but Smith, a golden boy who is compared to Donald Bradman for his batting exploits, took to social media to make clear he would do his time.
“I would give anything to have this behind me and be back representing my country,” he tweeted, in his first comments since the emotional press conference on his return to Australia last Thursday.
“But I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as captain of the team. I won’t be challenging the sanctions. They’ve Ronaldo is the first player in Champions League history to score in 10 consecutive games (15 goals). been imposed by CA to send a strong message and I have accepted them.”
Smith -- the world’s number one Test batsman -- was charged with knowledge of the potential ball-altering plan, while Warner was charged with developing the plot and instructing Bancroft to carry it out.
Since the scandal erupted, Smith has lost a lucrative Indian Premier League contract and has been dumped by sponsors.
Bancroft, who used sandpaper to scratch the surface of the ball, said he had informed Cricket Australia he would serve his ban. “Today I lodged the paperwork with Cricket Australia and will be accepting the sanction handed down,” he said on Twitter. TURIN: The Juventus stadium broke into applause and Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, once a player of extraordinary gifts himself, looked dumbstruck at the audacity of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal.
Just when everyone thought the Portuguese had done it all, he produced a strike that was astonishing even by the standards of his remarkable career.
Real were 1-0 ahead and strug- gling to keep the hosts at bay when Ronaldo, with his back to goal, launched himself into the air to meet Dani Carvajal’s chipped cross with a bicycle kick -- known in Spanish-speaking countries as a “Chilean” -- that flew past dumbfounded Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
The timing was perfect while the athleticism, worthy of a youngster more than a 33-yearold, ridiculed suggestions that the record-amassing Portugal forward is past his prime.
Real captain Sergio Ramos said the applause from the Juve fans was “the prize of everyone giving him recognition for so many years at this level.”
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri wished his team had found Ronaldo on an off-night. “I can’t fault the lads for anything, we bumped into an extraordinary team and probably the best player in the world,” he said.
“When you play against sides like this, you need a little bit of luck and, more than anything else, to meet Ronaldo on a bad night.”
Ronaldo has scored more Champions League goals against Gianluigi Buffon than any other player (nine).
goals Ronaldo has scored so far in all competitions this season, more than anyone in Europe's top five leagues. I meant what I said about taking full responsibility as captain of the team. I won’t be challenging the sanctions. I have accepted them.
STEVE SMITH, on accepting ban
I would love to put this behind me and will do whatever it takes to earn back the trust of the Australian public. But I accept the sanctions. CAMERON BANCROFT, on ban Ronaldo has scored more Champions League goals against Juventus than any other player.
goals Ronaldo scored in Champions League quarters which equals the all-time total goals Juve have scored in the CL quarters.
It took Ronaldo to draw first blood. It is the quickest of his 119 goals in Champions League.
Real Madrid are unbeaten in their six games with the starting 11 that won the CL final in Cardiff against Juventus last year.