‘Please forgive us’
Australian coach apologises for cheating scandal
AUSTRALIA coach Darren Lehmann has apologised to the public and called for forgiveness for the grave mistake made by the three test players banned for their role in the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked the sport.
He promised a change in approach to the game from Australia, reeling not only from the scandal but accusations of boorish behaviour and playing contrary to the spirit of the game.
An emotional Lehmann, cleared of any wrongdoing by a Cricket Australia investigation, said yesterday the banned players, Steve Smith, David Warner and Campundits eron Bancroft, were “not bad people” and called for them to be given a second chance as he expressed concerns over their mental state.
The coach also said the team would need to improve their behaviour on and off the pitch to win back fan respect after Bancroft was caught tampering with the ball in the 322-run third test defeat by South Africa at Newlands.
“I would like to apologise to the Australian public and the cricket family.
“What happened on Saturday is not something that is acceptable from the Australian cricket team,” Lehmann told a news conference restricted to Australian media. “The players involved have been handed down various serious sanctions and they know they must face the consequences.
“They have made a very grave mistake, but they are not bad people.
“As a coach you feel for them as people,” Lehmann said.
“They are hurting and I feel for them and their families.
“There is a human side of this. These are young men and I hope people will give them a second chance.
“Their health and well-being is extremely important to us.
“I worry about the three guys immensely. We love all of our players and they are going through a really tough time.
“I’m not going to resign. We need to change how we play.
“Previously we butted heads, but that’s not the way to play going forward. I need to change,” he said.
However, he avoided a question over whether he was responsible, as many have suggested, for the “in-yourface” style of the Australian team.
He said he was confident it was a one-off incident and had not been part of the team’s playing culture in the past.
“The first I saw of it was on that screen. I got straight on the walkie-talkie.
“There were a couple of expletives in there.”
Meanwhile, Hashim Amla is fully aware the Proteas are on the cusp of history when they take on Australia in the fourth test that starts tomorrow.
“We’re very motivated because I don’t think South Africa have won a series against Australia at home since readmission,” he said. – Reuters, TimesLIVE