Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted
33 minutes ago, Cards13 said:

Australia caught deliberately ball tampering in SA, scheme cooked up and agreed to by the leadership team?!?!

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/dark-day-for-australian-cricket-as-steve-smith-admits-plan-to-cheat-20180325-p4z63q.html

They all need to be banned, what a fiasco. 

They'll have to cop it in terms of penalties and being called 'cheats' for the rest of their careers (post-career too). Pathetic news to wake up to.

Thank god the footy has started

Posted
1 hour ago, Kumamoto_Ken said:

They'll have to cop it in terms of penalties and being called 'cheats' for the rest of their careers (post-career too). Pathetic news to wake up to.

Thank god the footy has started

And so they should!! 

Posted
On 3/20/2018 at 7:39 PM, ding said:

Anyone surprised Rabada got off? The instant i saw that a Kiwi bloke was hearing the appeal i would have bet my life savings that he would be able to play.

I fully expect Australia to be utterly humiliated on the field in the next test. Rabada to have another 10-for match.

Both Marshes to fail twice. Smith to fall to Rabada both times.

Saffas by an innings.

 

 

Jeff Crowe is a Kiwi as well...He's the one who let Mr BoganvilliaWarner  - who has forgotten that he's in the team to make runs not verbal war - off for behaving like a drunk looking for a fight during the tea break.

Posted

Absolute disgrace... Smith & the rest of the leadership group must be stood down & not played in the next test. Screw the series even if we can potentially draw it in the 4th.

Funnily enough I was told from an inside source Renshaw didn't get along with Smith & co and wasn't "one of the boys" maybe they'vetried it on him before & he stood up to them and said no, maybe that's why he was left out pre ashes. 

Posted (edited)

Hard to believe that 5 senior players believing that (a) the concept of ball tampering was a good idea and (b) that they'd even get away with it. 

Cricket fans will want blood and mass sackings ... but I've always believed that ball tampering goes on as a matter of course.  And there's been a number of incidents over the years that reinforces that view. 

However,  the incident just looks so brazen & blatant.  And idiotic.   This team is not well-liked to begin with so the repercussions could be enormous. 

But there's no excuse looked at in isolation and the person most responsible for this fiasco is the captain Steven Smith (unless Darren Lehmann knew about the plan as well) ... there's a press conference on at midday with James Sutherland - that will be more than interesting.

Edited by Macca
Posted

What the actual [censored] has happened to our cricket team? How did they come to a collective decision that cheating was ok? Maybe they felt so [censored] off with South Africa in general (and there are no more arrogant supporters in the world) that somehow it justified in their tiny little brains that beating them at all costs was ok.

Smith must be sacked. Anyone who agreed to cheat must also serve time, even if we cant field a team for the last game.

Send 'em home in disgrace.

Posted (edited)

Can't wait for the Test to restart again tonight ... a sell-out crowd will be baying for blood.  Could be a hostile crowd and there will be nowhere to hide. 

Sutherland's press conference was beige ... but I've never liked him as a CEO anyway.  CA could do better. 

Hard to see Smith surviving this ... as a captain at least.  Others could lose their spots or standing as well.

Edited by Macca

Posted
15 minutes ago, Macca said:

Can't wait for the Test to restart again tonight ... a sell-out crowd will be baying for blood.  Could be a hostile and there will be nowhere to hide. 

Sutherland's press conference was beige ... but I've never liked him as a CEO anyway.  CA could do better. 

Hard to see Smith surviving this ... as a captain at least.  Others could lose their spots or standing as well.

As a CEO what can you really say? He has to go through due process and then hand down findings. He basically said he wasn't happy about what happened and was shocked. He can't go and shoot from the hip, if he does that just makes the sutuation worse. I'm neither here nor there about his leadership but he's between a rock and a hard place on this one. Don't envy him being in this position. 

 

Posted

It's the risk CA has taken in giving a relatively young Smith, an ultra-competitive and single minded player, captaincy without providing the support around him on the field to temper him. Instead they have made Warner vice-captain, who is older, hot-tempered and prove to overstepping the mark under pressure. Smith is being guided towards this end of his personality rather than counterbalanced with a calm, rational leader.

I can see how this happens in that team. The conversations are about reverse swing, SA's success with it, linked to Faf's history of tampering and how they need to do it to make it a level playing field. If they keep agreeing with each other then eventually it seems acceptable. But with a wise, calm, older and respected head on the team that conversation gets shut off before it gets anywhere near that point. If a young Michael Clarke (purely as a hypothetical) starts down that path then Hussey and Gilchrist quickly tell him to pull his head it, and the train of thought ends there.

I'm sure Smith could well have been a fine captain, but there's nobody in the team to tell him to stand up to him when required. The only senior players are Warner and SMarsh. Warner will egg him on and Marsh has never been a leader. As a result, Smith has had too much say, whether he's been right or wrong, and has never been able to learn how to lead properly. 

While Smith is ultimately responsible for the ball tampering, Cricket Australia has failed him badly. I hope that this sad day can be used as a catalyst for genuine culture change within the team for the betterment of Australian cricket.

  • Like 4

Posted
33 minutes ago, ding said:

What the actual [censored] has happened to our cricket team? How did they come to a collective decision that cheating was ok? Maybe they felt so [censored] off with South Africa in general (and there are no more arrogant supporters in the world) that somehow it justified in their tiny little brains that beating them at all costs was ok.

Smith must be sacked. Anyone who agreed to cheat must also serve time, even if we cant field a team for the last game.

Send 'em home in disgrace.

Well we don't know how much of a collective it was whether it was Smith, Warner and Bancroft or whether it was more than that. It'd be even worse if there were more involved than those 3 as we then have a systemic problem and pretty much no worthy leadership in the team. Smith has to be stripped of the captaincy and at least face a ban. Bancroft whilst he is stupid is not as culpable as smith IMO. 

I also wonder whether Lehman is involved in this. He will be leaving as coach after the next ashes anyway so won't be a huge loss if he's implicated. 

Looks like a time of change in leadership & direction whatever way you look at it. 

 

 

Posted
1 minute ago, Axis of Bob said:

It's the risk CA has taken in giving a relatively young Smith, an ultra-competitive and single minded player, captaincy without providing the support around him on the field to temper him. Instead they have made Warner vice-captain, who is older, hot-tempered and prove to overstepping the mark under pressure. Smith is being guided towards this end of his personality rather than counterbalanced with a calm, rational leader.

I can see how this happens in that team. The conversations are about reverse swing, SA's success with it, linked to Faf's history of tampering and how they need to do it to make it a level playing field. If they keep agreeing with each other then eventually it seems acceptable. But with a wise, calm, older and respected head on the team that conversation gets shut off before it gets anywhere near that point. If a young Michael Clarke (purely as a hypothetical) starts down that path then Hussey and Gilchrist quickly tell him to pull his head it, and the train of thought ends there.

I'm sure Smith could well have been a fine captain, but there's nobody in the team to tell him to stand up to him when required. The only senior players are Warner and SMarsh. Warner will egg him on and Marsh has never been a leader. As a result, Smith has had too much say, whether he's been right or wrong, and has never been able to learn how to lead properly. 

While Smith is ultimately responsible for the ball tampering, Cricket Australia has failed him badly. I hope that this sad day can be used as a catalyst for genuine culture change within the team for the betterment of Australian cricket.

Smith has been playing cricket his whole life and should know better. I find it hard to shift blame, but you are right that there needs to be a shift in the culture.

Posted
2 minutes ago, Bonkers said:

As a CEO what can you really say? He has to go through due process and then hand down findings. He basically said he wasn't happy about what happened and was shocked. He can't go and shoot from the hip, if he does that just makes the sutuation worse. I'm neither here nor there about his leadership but he's between a rock and a hard place on this one. Don't envy him being in this position.

Not asking him to 'Shoot from the hip'  ... he's just a beige CEO who never seems to say or do anything of any real substance.  A fence sitter. 

Smith has admitted guilt - the 'investigation' only really needs to find out who exactly was involved in the fiasco.  Sutherland spoke as if he was completely in the dark and he isn't.

He would have spoken to Smith but told us he hasn't spoken to him.  I don't believe him. 

The team has been a law unto itself under Sutherland's watch.

  • Like 1
Posted
9 minutes ago, Macca said:

Not asking him to 'Shoot from the hip'  ... he's just a beige CEO who never seems to say or do anything of any real substance.  A fence sitter. 

Smith has admitted guilt - the 'investigation' only really needs to find out who exactly was involved in the fiasco.  Sutherland spoke as if he was completely in the dark and he isn't.

He would have spoken to Smith but told us he hasn't spoken to him.  I don't believe him. 

The team has been a law unto itself under Sutherland's watch.

You make some good points. Leadership and direction starts from the board and executive level. Things like this don't usually happen unless something else stinks in other parts of an organisation. 

Warner and Lehman I've never been particularly sold on as leadership figures. Those decisions to put these leaders in place have been endorsed by higher up. The thing is Cricket Australia just had a review a couple of years ago so it doesn't fill me with much hope that the right decisions will be made for the ongoing good of the game in Australia.

  • Like 1
Posted

Re Motor Mouth/Champion Pugilist, Aussie Vice captain ( great moral leader ), Davie Warner, his bat needs to do the talking.

He averaged 63 in the Test Series against England, his average since - including T20's, One dayers and the series against South Africa has fallen to 37.9.

He's averaging 37 in the test series against the Proteas.

Shut up and make runs, you Bogan.

Posted
9 minutes ago, Bonkers said:

You make some good points. Leadership and direction starts from the board and executive level. Things like this don't usually happen unless something else stinks in other parts of an organisation. 

Warner and Lehman I've never been particularly sold on as leadership figures. Those decisions to put these leaders in place have been endorsed by higher up. The thing is Cricket Australia just had a review a couple of years ago so it doesn't fill me with much hope that the right decisions will be made for the ongoing good of the game in Australia.

Warner is a great example Bonkers - he should have been pulled into line a long time ago but instead of that,  he's often allowed to run amuck. 

There's a separation/disconnect between those who oversee the sport and the participants - proof of that was the long, drawn-out pay dispute that went on forever.

The team has underperformed for over a decade now - we're no longer a great team.  Yet the team often acts and  behaves as if it is a great one.

  • Like 1
Posted

Warner's runs are totally irrelevant. If he's there to "shut up and make runs" then he shouldn't be VC. That's CA's mess.

The players and coaches need a strong blueprint for what the team should look like (culturally), provide support to the players to change and put in place people in key positions who live those values already. 

It's not a short term fix.

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Axis of Bob said:

Warner's runs are totally irrelevant. If he's there to "shut up and make runs" then he shouldn't be VC. That's CA's mess.

The players and coaches need a strong blueprint for what the team should look like (culturally), provide support to the players to change and put in place people in key positions who live those values already. 

It's not a short term fix.

So if your opening batsman is averaging 37 his runs are irrelevant?

Okay...

But I agree CA is a mess...

Edited by dieter

Posted
5 hours ago, Axis of Bob said:

Warner's runs are totally irrelevant. If he's there to "shut up and make runs" then he shouldn't be VC. That's CA's mess.

The players and coaches need a strong blueprint for what the team should look like (culturally), provide support to the players to change and put in place people in key positions who live those values already. 

It's not a short term fix.

Yep and if Cricket Australia had gonads depending on outcome Smith Lehman, Bancroft and anyone else in on it should be Banned for at least a year maybe two 

This is pathetic

As for Warner what a [censored] of  bloke he is 

  • Like 1

Posted

Can't believe the test is still going.

Australia has lectured the world in playing proper cricket.  Remember Murali and the no-ball saga?  Darrel Hair?  Hair wanted to make a name for himself.

Remember Stuart Broad?  Just stood his ground like a lot of Aussie cricketers (bar Gilly) has in the past.

David Warner and Australia have been pushing boundaries for years.  There comes a time when the bully meets a bigger bully.  South Africa 2018 has rattled them..  A leopard rarely changes his spots.

Just feel sorry for Bancroft who has been thrown under a bus.

 

Darren Lemon - should be his last national coaching gig this test match.  In it to his eyeballs.

 

Murali and Broad must feel 50 feet tall today.  And Darrel Hair?  Is he a free man or in the slammer at the moment?

  • Like 1
Posted

Quite an incredible thing to have happened.

The team has had a "win at all costs" attitude for a while now and something bad (not necessarily this bad, though) was always going to happen.

Possibly the most galling part about all this is Smith's reaction. He seemed to think that by fronting up to the media and apologising, that would make it all better. I suspect he genuinely thought at that press conference that it was something he could push behind him and people would forget about, hence his comment about not standing down (and the way he said it).

Smith's career is over, I can't see how he can come back from this - will anyone look at him the same, captain or not, again?

Warner breeds the "win at all costs" mentality and isn't any help to the side. Lyon, i think, is the same.

CA needs to properly work out who was involved. Any player who was involved should be stood down and, possibly, sacked/never selected again. Lehmann should resign before he gets sacked (if he knew, then he knew. If he didn't know, he should have). 

For the fourth Test, Smith, Bancroft and Warner mustn't play, nor should Starc, Hazlewood or Lyon unless it can be determined they had no role to play. Fly over replacements, put up a competitive and legal fight, then once it is all over a proper assessment needs to take place. New captain, new coach, new leadership model.

Posted
3 hours ago, picket fence said:

Yep and if Cricket Australia had gonads depending on outcome Smith Lehman, Bancroft and anyone else in on it should be Banned for at least a year maybe two 

This is pathetic

As for Warner what a [censored] of  bloke he is 

Agreed minimum 2 year ban for cheating. No different to being a dope cheat.

Posted

When all is said and done, Lehmann is my bet as the mastermind.  Where is he?

 

This will not only end careers, it has the potential to end a life.   A few will be in a dark place for a long long time.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 3

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...