The recent ball-tampering scandal carried out by the Australians is one of the biggest controversies to come out of cricket world in the recent years. No one believed that the winning team in the sport, across the world, can stoop to do something like this. The verdict at first was limited to just a ban for one match but acting upon cricket lovers’ outrage on social media, the board decided to ban Steve Smith and David Warner for a year from playing.
Ever since the news first broke out, the news is just filled with minor to major developments in the scandal and no one can stop talking about it.
This very reason has pushed both the cricketers to come out with an apology to cricket fans all over the world. While David Warner tweeted his sorry, Steve Smith decided to go with a press conference to address the issue. However, no one thought that the press conference would end with something this emotional.
Over the course of his press conference, Steve Smith broke down repeatedly and took full responsibility for the ball-tampering scandal, saying he is simply gutted right now and would regret the incident for the rest of his life. When asked if he blamed David Warner for the incident, he said, “I don’t blame anyone, I’m the captain, it’s on my watch and I take responsibility for what happened in Cape Town.”
David Warner’s tweet:
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) March 29, 2018
Watch Steve Smith’s press conference over here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GskBiFLSayg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpbN_em8Png
Cricket lovers all over the world were glued to their screen watching the conference and feeling sorry for the man. These people also included some of the biggest names in the sport who called the conference “devastating”. In fact, Harsha Bhogle, notable sports presenter, tweeted “Haven’t Australia made enough of a spectacle of Steve Smith? I’m blown by what he is being put through.”
Here’s how other reacted to Steve Smith’s apology on the ball tampering scandal.
Haven't Australia made enough of a spectacle of Steve Smith? I'm blown by what he is being put through.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 29, 2018
DEVASTATING!
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 29, 2018
Still reeling from watching Steve Smith’s anguish at his press conference tonight. We rarely see such genuine contrition in public life. All credit to him and Cameron Bancroft for owning their actions and fronting the media. I really hope they’re well supported.
— Jenny Brockie (@JenBrockie) March 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/Aggerscricket/status/979279726911959040
Dear Smith,
You made a mistake!
You admitted a mistake!
You received the punishment!As Cricket fan its disheartening to see images where you are surrounded by Police, Press and public. Now all you need is moral support from fans. Mistakes do happen and Comeback more stronger!
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 29, 2018
#Smith – genuine and heartfelt expression of pain.#Bancroft – a young player caught up in the nonsense who is strong enough to front up.#Warner – insidious bad influence, coward and schemer who only had the balls to post something on Twitter.
— Miles Latham (@milesaffixxius) March 29, 2018
#SteveSmith looked as though he had done nothing wrong except taking responsibility. Tells us everything when #DavidWarner is on a separate flight into Sydney and no press conference scheduled. Warner is too weak to come clean on his own plan that had nothing to do with Smith.
— Tony (@ttdmg) March 29, 2018
Shattering to watch this….Smith in tears.
— Gav Joshi (@Gampa_cricket) March 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/AlanJones/status/979089375538458624
‘Good people make mistakes’ .. I honestly think Steve Smith & Cam Bancroft are decent guys who had a moment of madness .. they deserve a 2nd chance and hopefully get the right support around them now .. Takes a lot guts to do what they did today ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 29, 2018
Just spent 20 minutes consoling my crying 9 year old who is a major Steve Smith fan after he watched the press conference. Encouraging him and all kids to write Steve a letter telling him how much you love and admire him.
— deborah knight (@deborah_knight) March 29, 2018
To that “journo” who just looked Steve Smith in the eye … and compared this to Married at First sight.
You’re a knob and I hope you never work in the media again
— Tom Chadwick (@TomChadwick_7) March 29, 2018
My heart is breaking for Steve Smith right now. I know he stuffed up but this is tough to watch.
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) March 29, 2018
Fair play Bancroft and Steve Smith taking it head on and fronting up. That was hard to watch and can’t imagine what they’re going through .People make mistakes but being able to own up and take responsibility takes guts.
— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) March 29, 2018
Steve Smith *does ball tampering*
Everyone : what a cheat! He shamed the gentleman’s game. Shame shame!Steve Smith *cries during press conference*
Everyone : awww! Ladka to achha hai waise aww— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) March 29, 2018
1. Cricket fans during #sandpapergate
2. Cricket fans after Steve Smith's press conference pic.twitter.com/MZxjMzmcCm
— Karan Talwar (@BollywoodGandu) March 29, 2018
It's very sad to see the greatest Test batsman of the modern era break down on camera.
Nobody should be celebrating this in any way. It's a huge loss for the game. https://t.co/WWcgglyFKs— Rahul Desai (@ReelReptile) March 29, 2018
I think what is upsetting more than Steve Smith's tears is how the sound of the camera shutters getting louder when he started crying.
— Sonia Mariam Thomas (@SoKneeOh) March 29, 2018
While ICC has banned both the players for one year, BCCI too has banned them for a year which means there would be no IPL for David Warner and Steve Smith this year. Both the players were captains of different teams in this year’s IPL tournament. While Steve Smith was handling Rajasthan Royals, David Warner was the captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad, within days of the news breaking out, both the players stepped down from their positions.
Jyotsna Amla