Moggy wrote:Blue Eyes wrote:Got to say I feel sorry for these guys, especially Smith, who seeks properly genuinely devastated and contrite about his mistake.
I can’t tell if that is sarcasm.
I don't think it is.
The Australian team have demonstrated themselves to be pretty toxic over the past few years, particularly since Lehmann took over as coach. They were extremely unlikeable with the likes of Michael Clarke and, in particular, Brad Haddin in the ranks.
This side has been on another level. This has been largely due to a combination of Warner, Lyon and Starc. At best, Smith has enabled this behaviour on the pitch and at worst has been complicit in it. It may well be the case here that Warner is the man to blame and has dragged down Bancroft (be it through blackmail or general pressure). Bancroft dodged the question about Warner during his press conference. However, Smith allowed this to happen and is responsible for the team.
I fail to believe that the bowlers were not aware of the goings on. I fail to believe that numbers 1, 2 and 4 in the batting order were manipulating the ball without any of the bowlers being aware. The punishments are harsh but set a strong precedent. This has been coming and my sympathy is somewhere on the scale between limited and none. The number of people coming out with sympathy for the players now simply because they've looked upset on camera is ridiculous.
Also:
Mini E wrote:Drumstick wrote:Mini E wrote:Vincey
Just read an article which said Stokes hasn't been bowling in the nets so it doesn't seem like your boy is going to get another chance to nick off until the Pakistan matches in May.
- my man has some serious edges. As a side note, I used to have a Kookaburra bat which had "MONSTER EDGES" written on it. I'm not sure what that said to the opposition about my technique.
BOOOOOOOOOOM Vincey's in the XI.