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A ball-tampering scandal enveloping Australia's cricket team was described as a dark day for the sport, as critics slammed the players for being out of touch with a furious public, on 24 March.
The premeditated plan to alter the condition of the ball using improvised ‘sandpaper’ during the third day of the third Test against South Africa at Newlands, on 24 march, dominated news headlines, and captain Steve Smith and his teammates were widely condemned.
Smith has admitted he was the mastermind of the premeditated plan hatched during the lunch break, adding that the team's "leadership group knew about it".
"We now find we have sent a squad of cricketers, pockets stuffed with money, tape and pitch litter, determined to stretch the game's rules and etiquette until there is nothing left to do but cheat," wrote Patrick Smith in The Australian.
Cricketers are among the most scrutinised athletes in the sporting-mad nation and there was dismay at their perceived lack of awareness of how serious their actions were.
"What is extraordinary, I think, is how it was done and how easily it was agreed to by the team and how, not unapologetic, but sort of oblivious to the consequences Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft seemed to be at the press conference," cricket writer Gideon Haigh told national broadcaster ABC.
"I think over the last year or so, I've sensed a real disconnect between this team and the public, and this administration and the public," he said.
"It's almost as though both organisations, the team and (governing body) Cricket Australia, are in a bit of a bubble – bubbles of their own making." ABC senior commentator Jim Maxwell, regarded by many as voice of Australian cricket, said he was "more and more offended by the arrogance of some of the players in the way they behave".
"Cricket Australia will more than likely have to make some very big decisions about the leadership in the team.
"If the leadership of Australian cricket can even think of doing something like this then they need to be ostracised and I've a feeling that Steve Smith is probably going to lose the captaincy over this."
Russell Gould in the Herald Sun also echoed calls from former players, fans and commentators for Smith's head to roll.
"Forget that the whole leadership group was in on it. The buck stops with the captain, what he says goes. The minute he said 'go' for cheating, was the minute he signed off as a real captain."
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