The ball tampering scandal involving the Australian team captain Steve Smith, opener Cameron Bancroft and the leadership group of team has become a serious concern for Cricket Australia, as the sponsors of the team have made it clear to them, that they are not happy with what has transpired.
Australia captain Steve Smith admitted he hatched a plan to change the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday.
"This is deeply disappointing and certainly not what anyone expects from our national cricket team. We are in discussions with Cricket Australia as this issue unfolds." airline Qantas, whose logo is on the Australian team shirts, said to AFP.
Cricket Australia is under severe pressure from the sponsors of the team to act decisively, as the ball tampering scandal has tarnished the national cricket team’s reputation.
Financial giant Commonwealth Bank, sponsors of the Australia women’s team, the Southern Stars, said that they warranted a full explanation from CA.
"We are disappointed about the events that have emerged from the third Test in South Africa and have asked for a full explanation from Cricket Australia following the conclusion of its investigation into this affair," it told AFP.
CA could have done with the scandal not breaking out, when they in middle of negotiating a new media deal, with the old Aus$600 million five-year agreement expiring at the end of the year.
The team's biggest sponsor, fund manager Magellan, told the Australian Financial Review: "We're deeply concerned about it, it involves cheating, in no way would we condone it in what we do."
Jaimie Fuller, executive chairman of the Skins compression wear group of companies said, "Cricket is such a part of our national psyche that it helps define us. It helps give us a sense of what is fair, and what is not; what is right and what is wrong.”
"Cricket is such a part of our national psyche that it helps define us," he said.
"It helps give us a sense of what is fair, and what is not; what is right and what is wrong. Even though you are presiding over the sport, it doesn't belong to you. You are the custodians of it. And now you must get your job right" he added of CA.
