LONDON: Shane Warne branded reaction to the Australian ball-tampering scandal a “tornado of hysteria” on Wednesday and said the punishments meted out to Steve Smith and David Warner do not fit the crime.
Captain Smith and vice-captain Warner have been banned from representing their country for a year over the cheating incident during the third Test in South Africa, while opening batsman Cameron Bancroft has been suspended for nine months.
“We are all so hurt and angry and maybe we weren’t so sure how to react,” Warne wrote on Facebook. “We’d just never seen it before.
“But the jump to hysteria is something that has elevated the offense beyond what they actually did, and maybe we’re at a point where the punishment just might not fit the crime.”
The former leg-spinner — second on the overall list of Test wicket-takers — said Australia’s enemies had taken the opportunity to put the boot in.
“There are those countries that don’t like Australia, don’t like individuals in the team, and there has been a build-up of hate which has exploded and created this tornado of hysteria,” he wrote.
“But what are the players guilty of? Cheating via ball-tampering and bringing the game into disrepute.
“Their opposing captain in this series, South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, has been charged with the offense twice and opening bowler Vernon Philander once.
“The list of players who have been charged with ball-tampering is long and contains some of the biggest names in the game.”
Warne also questioned the idea of pre-meditated cheating.
“Are there levels of ball tampering, or is it just ball tampering? Is putting a mint in your pocket so you can shine a ball on the field pre-meditated cheating, or just ball-tampering. What about putting sunscreen on the ball? You either ball tamper or you don’t.”
Warne said Smith, the top-ranked Test batsman in the world, was guilty of a “severe error of judgment.”
“I am still trying to wrestle with what I think the punishment should be,” he said. “They have to be harsh, but if they are rubbed out for a year, the punishment does not fit the crime.”
Shane Warne condemns ‘hysteria’ over Australia ball-tampering scandal
Shane Warne condemns ‘hysteria’ over Australia ball-tampering scandal
Australia, Ireland out of T20 World Cup as Zimbabwe qualify after washout
- Zimbabwe will move on to face the West Indies, India and South Africa in the next phase
- Zimbabwe captain Skiander Raza hails side’s achievement, but warns of tougher battles
KANDY, Sri Lanka: The 2021 champions Australia were knocked out of the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, with Zimbabwe qualifying for the Super Eights after their match against Ireland was washed out without a ball being bowled in Kandy.
Zimbabwe joined Sri Lanka as qualifiers from Group B and will move on to face the West Indies, India and South Africa in the next phase. Ireland were also eliminated.
Persistent drizzle all day at the Pallekelle stadium kept the covers on and the umpires finally called it off at 5:30 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) with no prospect of beginning the minimum five-over match before the 6:10 p.m. cut-off time.
Australia, who had been beaten by Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, needed an Ireland victory to keep their hopes alive.
Zimbabwe are now on an unassailable five points with a game to still to come, while Ireland are third on three points.
Australia, on two points, have one game remaining against Oman on Friday, but cannot overtake Zimbabwe.
Australia had a shambolic build-up to the tournament
They lost leading pace bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to injury, while captain Mitchell Marsh missed the first two games after being hit in the groin in training and suffering testicular bleeding
Test great Steve Smith was left out despite being in terrific form top of the order in the Big Bash League and his expertise in playing against spin bowling.
COLOURFUL FANS
He flew in as cover last week and was formally added to the Australia squad at the weekend.
But then he was left out for the must-win game against Sri Lanka on Monday which saw an Australia middle-order collapse as they lost by eight wickets.
Zimbabwe captain Skiander Raza hailed his side’s achievement in reaching the last eight, but warned there were tougher battles to come.
“We have come this far. We will celebrate but we have a game against Sri Lanka to come,” said Raza.
“This is only a tick in the box and this is not the only thing that we set out for. Everyone loves an underdog story.”
Ireland skipper Lorcan Tucker was downcast after his side did not get to play.
“Obviously very disappointed to go out in this fashion, but completely uncontrollable,” said Tucker.
“Our batting failed. There were big moments in the tournament particularly against Sri Lanka when we dropped so many catches.
“Hopefully, we will handle these tough situations differently moving forward.”
The rain did not dampen the spirits of a hearty and colorful band of about two dozen Zimbabwe fans, who danced and sang throughout the damp afternoon to serenade their team’s qualification.
“I can tell you, whichever corner they’re sitting at, at any ground, they’ll be the loudest, and they have the songs,” said Raza of the fans.
“They just keep the vibe. They keep lifting us up when their energies are down — and in this weather, it can be sometimes.
“But when we hear them to push us on and we know the songs as well, it gives us that energy as well.”
