Bishan Singh Bedi slams Steve Smith after ball tampering controversy

Cricket Australia currently investigated a ball-tampering scandal.

South Africa registered heavy 322-runs victory over Australia in Cape Town | Getty Images

Indian cricketing great –Bishan Singh Bedi, on Sunday, termed ongoing Australia’s ball-tampering scandal as "one of modern day cricket's great tragedies".

Former Indian skipper has also blamed the entire Aussie team management for the infamous ball-tampering saga, saying it sends the wrong message to the next generation of cricketers. Bedi further added that the ongoing wicked incident erected by the Australian players has plunged the sport into crisis.

Captain Steve Smith was banned for the fourth Test in Johannesburg 30 January by the ICC, while David Warner stood down as vice-captain for the Test match, which won by South Africa by 322-runs leading 2-1. On the other hand, Cricket Australia currently investigating a ball-tampering scandal has yet not named Smith's replacement for the Test match. 

As per PTI, Bedi said of the ball tampering scandal, “There is no doubt there has been a mistake and the players are responsible for this. The captain has accepted it, acknowledged the mistake, top management has admitted, this is not a handiwork of one or two players. It's very sad, I would like to think it as one of the great tragedies of modern cricket.”

The legendary left-arm spinner further added, “According to me, no limit could be prescribed for strict action. We do mislead, misguide kids -- winning at any cost is a message that is wrong. Winning is important, but winning by fair means, is the message we must spread.”

Meanwhile, another former Indian cricketer –Ajay Jadeja opines regarding the issue, “If you look at anybody shining the ball what is he doing, he is also changing the state of the ball, so I am yet to understand what the laws are, because I haven't seen the incident.”

He signed off by saying, “But the ball is something that doesn't stay the same; it's not baseball which you change every time. The charm of the game is that you have to play differently with new ball, the old ball, the reverse swing. It all depends on the lawmakers how they want to see the game where.”

 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 26 Mar, 2018

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