‘They failed our culture’

– Former Australian Test captain Steve Waugh, pictured, yesterday said the country’s cricket team had “failed our culture” after opting to cheat.

Waugh, considered the embodiment of Australian grit who played 168 Tests, said he was “deeply troubled” by the events in Cape Town, where Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to doctor the ball with a piece of sandpaper.

“The Australian cricket team has always believed it could win in any situation against any opposition, by playing combative, skilful and fair cricket, driven by our pride in the fabled baggy green,” he wrote on Facebook after being inundated by messages from heartbroken cricket fans.

“I have no doubt the current Australian team continues to believe in this mantra. However, some have now failed our culture, making a serious error of judgment in Cape Town.”

He said the incident breached the Spirit of Australian Cricket document set out in 2003, during his time as Test skipper, and the team must realign itself with it to salvage their reputation.

“We must urgently revisit this document, re-bind our players to it and ensure the spirit in which we play is safeguarded for the future of the sport,” he said. –

Sydney