Aussies draw up plan for image makeover

SYDNEY: Australian cricket is drawing up a cultural blueprint in which players will pledge to uphold certain standards in a move away from their win-at-allcosts mentality, according to skipper Tim Paine.

The player charter is being developed in the wake of a balltampering scandal in March that rocked the game and cost captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner their jobs. Coach Darren Lehmann also resigned amid criticism that he allowed an attitude within the team to flourish that led to the embarrassing episode.

Two reviews into the state of the game were set up in the aftermath -- one focusing on the culture within Cricket Australia and the other into the team.

Paine on Wednesday said that he and new coach Justin Langer were playing a central role in formalising a blueprint for players to follow to ensure such scandals never happen again.

He said the new team charter, linked to the reviews, could be in place ahead of their Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates next month.

“It’s going to be how we go about it, how we want to be seen and what we are about,” he said. “That’s really important. We are the lucky ones that get to represent our country and pull on that baggy green cap, which is a huge privilege. I think we have to go back to that and just remember that we are Australia’s team -- we are not the Australian cricket team. We don’t own it.”