Former Australia captain Adam Gilchrist lashed out at Steve Smith after the ball-tampering scandal erupted on Saturday. Gilchrist has also shown concern over Smith's future as captain.
"I'm really sad, shocked, stunned - I'm not trying to over-dramatize it but (I'm) really emotional about this," Gilchrist said on Network Ten. "Australian cricket now and the integrity of Australian cricket is the laughing stock of world sport. This clearly is against the laws of the game and we've just had our national captain and our national team admit that they sat down, premeditated and pre-planned a way to cheat. I'm not sure he (Smith) can remain captain," he added.
Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera pulling out a piece of yellow tape from his pocket and rubbing it on the ball on day three of the third Test against South Africa Saturday.
Both Smith and Bancroft admitted to committing the grave mistake. The Aussie skipper even said that they had planned the tampering in desperation to win the game. Bancroft has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which could lead to a one-match ban and a 100 percent fine of his match fee.
"I think it's a pretty tough position to hold after you've admitted to what you've admitted to, (to be able to) carry on with any faith from anyone watching. We'll wait and see whether he's told, or whether he stands aside," the legendary wicket-keeper said.
"Then that implicates the senior playing group - he spoke about the leadership group. I don't remember a designated leadership group a la Australian rules football where they name who the leadership group is - (in my day) it was pretty much coach, captain, and vice-captain who were the leadership group.
"Match bans or fines, they're going to pale into insignificance if (Smith) loses the captaincy and if players get relieved of those leadership positions. It might implicate (David) Warner as vice-captain, I don't know. I don't know all the details about this leadership group," the 46-year-old said.