Beoz

Tomorrow? You think this will end tomorrow? This has got lots of twists and turns coming. It will also bleed to other teams. Watch this space. Can't wait for the movie.

Amazulu

I reckon Warner is behind all of this yet Smith, rightly or wrongly, is taking all the shit

Warner is pure poison

Beoz

Totally agree. The knives are out for Warner. His team mates have told the management they want him gone. A mercenary for hire on the 20/20 circuit seems like his only future. I bet there's a few nervous players around the world right now worried about their lucrative endorsement packages. If he goes down he'll probably take a few with him.

Next twist is they announce Smith knew nothing after all. He took the bullet for the team. That would make a cool movie.

DeadVim

No, I don’t think it will end today but the initial sanctions will be handed down to the “leadership team”.

Doubtless other teams are less than spotless in their conduct.

I think the Aussie players involved seriously misjudged how this would be viewed. Smiddy getting booted from his IPL captaincy gig is only the beginning and then there are the sponsors ...

Warner is surely the chief architect in all of this and the others have been taken along for the ride, especially Bancroft.

I sort of feel sorry for Smith actually, a long cricket season and he has been struggling with his mindset by self-admission lately.

Win At All Costs Mindset + Struggling in a Test + Mental weakness + Desperation + Suggestion by Bogan Vice Captain tacitly backed by Coach Shrek = This.

Alfresco

Smith, Warner and Bancroft on their way home.

Lehmann survives...for now.

JamesM

It is a simple solution.

It's a shame that such a step needs to be added in a game that was once associated with being a gentleman.

Beoz

I don't feel sorry for Smith, he should have had Warner under control, a tough ask for sure but that's his job. I wouldn't be surprised when this washes up Smith had no part, but took the bullet as the captain, and he can't turn back now as he will be slated as a liar for telling the world he was a part of it. I can't believe 3 knew and at least one of them didn't say no. It doesn't make sense.

Warner is just an angry housing commission kid. Bit like Mike Tyson, Joey Barton. Can't change instinct. The South Africans, Michael Vaughan, etc have jumped on the bandwagon insulting his wife and he has just lost it with no rational thought. Bit like biting the ear of Evander Holyfield.

This is a great soap opera.

Looking forward to seeing how Renshaw, Maxwell and Burns go. Can't imagine the mindset is going to be right for the 4th test but should be interesting none the less.

scrubbedexpat098

Perhaps I should've put a question mark after the payback bit. I was trying to express disbelief that you thought I wanted revenge for a bunch of blokes I don't know beating another bunch of blokes that I follow, but also don't know.Also, why would I want payback on you? You had literally nothing to do with it If you're going to advocate sledging may I suggest that you toughen up a bit? I compared you to an oompa loompa remember what sort of adult does that upset?

Blaming it on Warner because he's from a council estate is a bit wank too, you hooked into Cooky for not being able to captain, and if Smithy can't control his team then neither can he, albeit slightly different reasons.

That Lemon bloke is in it up to his eyeballs too. You lot have hero worshipped the Aussie team and fallen for their whiter than white act, so you've just had further to fall than the rest of us and it's your own fault, you were foolish enough to believe their bullshit.

Gilly was the last true sportsman to play for Australia, and he's worshipped as such the world over, rightly so. Bring him in as coach and you might have a team worth saving, keep Lemon and he'll just get them covering up the cheating better.

Alfresco

Agreed, indeed.

Alfresco

Well, as a Captain of a national team, he should have known better, just like Hanse Cronje.

Anyway, 12 month bans for Smith and Warner, 9 for Bancroft.

The new guys have everything to play for and bring some credibility back to Australia.

cresta57

12 month ban! That makes it the biggest ball tampering incident since Bruce Jenner

Alfresco

Amazulu

How many times have I heard that over the last few days!

Amazulu

Too harsh IMO

Beoz

It should be:

Warner: LIFE. Bad egg.

Smith: Free to play.

Bancroft: Who cares.

Boof: Fired. Time is up.

Sutherland: Jail. Just keep him away from humans.