Social media reacts to Aussie bombshell
Earlier today, the South Africa v Australia series was rocked by a press conference where Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft admitted to attempting to change the condition of the ball after being caught by TV cameras during the third day of play at Newlands in Cape Town.
"It was the leadership group's idea," said Smith. "Poor choice and we deeply regret our actions. The coaches weren't involved. It was purely the leadership group who came up with this.I am not proud of what's happened. It's not within the spirit of the game. My integrity, the team's integrity and the leadership group's integrity has come into question. It won't happen again."
Here is the press conference in full, followed by some Twitter reaction from the world of cricket.
Australia team post play press conference featuring Steve Smith & Cameron Bancroft. https://t.co/dh5UYfPz31
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) March 24, 2018
The more you think about what has happened in Cape Town the more I realise the Leadership needs to be replaced ... Positions are untenable ... & I say that with the utmost respect for most of that group ... #SAvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2018
What I find appalling in all this is the Youngster got given the Job .. Was it because someone in the team had been accused of using Hand tape for a similar affect !!!!!!! So they wanted someone else to take the mantle .... Disgraceful behaviour by senior pros ... #SAvAUS
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 24, 2018
Yeah this will be talked about not just today but for long time https://t.co/Shw3WpGAwj
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 24, 2018
Steve Smith: 'The leadership group knew about it. I'm not proud of it." #SAvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 24, 2018
WHAT THE ........ HAVE I JUST WOKEN UP TO. Please tell me this is a bad dream.
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 24, 2018
Very sad to know bout what has just happened in https://t.co/SDUrzFnw13 with the Aussies..Cannot believe it had come down to everything that has has been heard and seen..An absolute shocker..
— Paras Khadka (@paras77) March 24, 2018
Crazyyy...!!
Very disappointed with the pictures I saw on our coverage here in Cape Town. If proven the alleged ball tampering is what we all think it is - then I hope Steve Smith (Captain) & Darren Lehmann (Coach) do the press conference to clean this mess up !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 24, 2018
Unfortunately this is blatant cheating and Steve Smith will have to step down as Australian captain.
— Rodney Hogg (@RMHogg) March 24, 2018
Aussies whingeing & making an official complaint about abuse from crowds?!? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 May want to look at home first!
— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) March 24, 2018
Among other things, it was incredibly naive. Like trying to burgle a high security establishment. And they didn't need to. This is the best bowling combination going in world cricket at the moment! Should back them to do it normally.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 24, 2018
Can we talk about this? pic.twitter.com/cmpRrOArgD
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 24, 2018
Wake up and check the scores in the #SAvsAus test.. well that wasn’t what I thought the headlines would be 😲😲
— Lea Tahuhu (@LTahuhu) March 24, 2018
Team mate of mine, known him since he was 13. Disappointing. Out of character. Eagerly awaiting the fall out from this. #SAvsAUS https://t.co/S0NsJEvON7 https://t.co/S0NsJEvON7
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) March 24, 2018
Can't believe Bancroft put his hands down his pants.. disgusting
— Michael Beer (@Beery19) March 24, 2018
Naughty naughty aussies ball tampering never!!! Opps
— Phil Tufnell (@philtufnell) March 24, 2018
Being bowled out for 58 suddenly doesn’t feel that bad!!
— Charlotte Edwards (@C_Edwards23) March 24, 2018
Canary Yellow?
— Iain O'Brien (@iainobrien) March 24, 2018
Or, Australian Gold?
I'm not sure of the colour of that "object"
Tim Paine may be next captain of Australia. You heard it first, here.
— Rodney Hogg (@RMHogg) March 24, 2018
Here is something interesting. If Smith has to be replaced......Warner can't be made captain and in batting order, Bancroft can't, Khawaja can't, Marsh and Marsh can't, the bowlers are constantly fighting fitness worries.....Paine? Looking grim!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 24, 2018