I think CA are in a sticky spot.
We've always liked to point fingers and cast aspersions.
But now it's us. And you know what? I'm happy they've come down on Smith, Warner and Bancroft like a ton of bricks. I'm hoping this warns all Aussies that ball tampering isn't acceptable and will not be tolerated as something to be giggled off with trite assurances about it never happening again.
I absolutely feel sorry for Steve Smith in some regards but in others, I do not. He's not some child or late teen (nor is Bancroft that matter). That he never thought to say stop or no is squarely on his shoulders. Yes, he's made a mistake and now his tale is the line in the sand. It's the boogeyman tale future generations tell their kids about when talking about cheating.
Just remember kiddies - cheat and you end like Steve Smith who was captain of Australia - out on your arse. I'm actually gutted. Absolutely gutted. I adored Steve Smith. If he comes back, I hope it's not as a shadow of his former self. Sigh...it's just so very very sad.
Aside from that, it gives him time to consider how he is placed and to either fade away or come back. I mean, there is a little thing called the Ashes happening in June/July 2019, so...there's the carrot. I hope he gets the support and help he needs and I hope in time people like me can move on and forgive him.
I also like that Paine has been made captain. He seems like a mature head and someone isn't an a*****e. Neutral too - not a bat, not a bowler. Here's hoping that guys like Renshaw, Maxwell, Burns, Sayers, Richardson can move in to this side and become tomorrow's heroes. I'm glad they didn't cancel the 4th Test. I don't even care if we lose (hell...the 3rd test was the first time since I was 6 in 1982 that I didn't give a feather or a fig about Australia losing!) but I hope the fresh blood and those that remain can put away the arrogance and petulance and let their cricket skills do the talking. There's a test to be played and won, and leaving 2-2 would be a justifiable result.
As for the Kaboom Kid - see ya mate. It sounds like he is the leader of this scandal. The belligerent bloke won't be missed. Averaged 45 since 2016 and his overseas tallies are hidden behind some of the flat track bullying he has got away with. Go play T20. Bye bye.
I agree with
@Matty76 too. Grudges in cricket...sigh. You only have to listen to Shane Warne in commentary to know just how much he hates Steve Waugh. But as the 12th Man's Tony Greig once said:
To me, a grudge is just somewhere to park your car.
Finally, I saw this on Fox. It summed it pretty well I thought: