Cricket Australia director Mark Taylor says he’s been on the verge of tear since handing former skipper Steve Smith a one-year ban for his part in the ball tampering scandal in South Africa.
Taylor was instrumental in the decision to ban Smith and former vice-captain David Warner for one year, while bowler Cameron Bancroft was given a nine-month ban. The trio admitted to conspiring to rub the ball with sandpaper during the Third test against South Africa last weekend.
Speaking on Sports Sunday, Taylor, who is also a former Australian captain, said punishing Smith, who is well-loved within the cricketing community, was particularly difficult.
“Obviously it hasn’t been great but I’ve had a knot in my stomach right from Sunday,” Taylor said.
“Close to tears I suppose but I’m not much for crying.
“Really sad for the three guys, particularly Steve Smith as not just a player but a captain and also a friend of mine.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with him over the years and I was really gutted for him. And, to have to play a part in ruling him out for a year, I found that very difficult.”
Legendary player and commentator Ian Chappell also spoke on on the program and said the scandal had made him question is own standing within the cricket fans.
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“On Sunday afternoon I went down to listen to a bit of music and have a drink, and I was walking along looking at people thinking, ‘Is this so-and-so going to call me a cheat?’ or ‘What are those cricketers doing?’” Chappell said.
“I was feeling it and I’m 40 years removed from playing, so I was really feeling it.”
It comes after all three players apologised for their part in the incident, with Smith breaking down in tears in front of the media at Sydney International Airport on Thursday night.
The 28-year-old cried as he spoke about the shame he’d brought to his family and how hurt his parents were by his part in the ordeal.
While the Australian public appears to already be on the path to forgiving Smith, they have been less accomodating for Warner, who drew ire for delaying his apology and instead choosing to release a statement on social media before finally fronting up to the press at the weekend.
Warner has been criticised for failing to explicitly admit he was the mastermind behind the ball tampering idea, despite a Cricket Australia investigation naming him as the key instigator.
“Most important now is the wellbeing of my family,” he told reporters in Sydney. “In the back of my mind, there’s a tiny ray of hope that I may one day play for my country again but I’m resigned to the fact that might never happen.”
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