The Ball Tampering Incident In Australia-South Africa Cricket Series

Stakeholders Involved and Punishments Given

Discuss about the Ethical Issues During The Cricket Series Of Australia And South Africa.

Ethical issues are not only limited to the business organizations but also they are well evident in the sporting events. This is due to the fact that in the current time, there are number of issues such as doping and fixing are emerging in different sports. With the increase in the competition in sporting events, probability of initiating unethical practices is ever increasing. One of the major incidents emerged in the recent time is the ball tampering issue during the cricket series of Australia and South Africa. It happened in March 2018. The issue emerged during the third test match between the two countries. It was caught in the television camera that Cemeron Bancroft, a new and young player playing for Australia roughing up the side of the cricket ball in order makes it more vulnerable to swing (Fuss, Subic and Mehta 2013). The main objective for doing this is to create difficulty for South Africa to bat and wining the match. The more will be the swing of the ball, the more will be difficult to bat.

Though the objective was clear and ethical of wining the match, but the strategy or method taken is unethical in nature. This caused huge outrage in public and forced the administration to take stringent steps against the guilty. However, the further investigation on the incident lead to know that there are number of players and support staffs associated with the incident. This report will discuss about the supported and unsupported persons involved in the incident. Moreover, the reasons behind these will also be discussed in this report.

Involved stakeholders in the incident are mainly the top two players of the Australian cricket team including their captain and new player. The top two players are Steve Smith, captain of Australia cricket team and David Warner, the vice captain of Australian cricket team (www.theguardian.com 2018). The other player is Cameron Bancroft. The other indirect stakeholder involved in the case is Darren Lehmann. He is also accused due to the reason that he is also involved in the case and he is one who has initiated the idea. They are the main accused in the case and the only stakeholders involved in the entire process.

All the involved stakeholders are being given punishments including termination of three players on an immediate effect. In the later stage, a fully fledged investigation was conducted by Cricket Australia and found all the three players guilty. However, it was also found that Darren Lehmann, coach of the Australian cricket team is not involved in the case and thus being acquitted (BBC Sport 2018). However, Darren Lehmann quit his job after the series with South Africa. On the other hand, Steve Smith and David Warner are terminated from their position of captain and vice captain respectively. Moreover, both Steve Smith and David Warner are also banned from the cricketing action for the next 1 year. They will not be able to play any domestic or international matches for the next 1 year. In addition Cameron Bancroft is given 10 months term of restriction from playing international and domestic cricket.

Responses from Various Players and Organizations

Following the sentences against the accused, there are number of responses came from different eminent personalities especially from the retired cricketing stars around the world. Some supported the sentences while some of them are against it. However, it should be noted that no one supported the main accusations against the trio due to the reason that of the key stakeholders involved with the game of cricket came to the conclusion that the unethical practices initiated by them are against the integrity of the game and it adversely affected the goodwill of the same. According to them, this incident is also insulting for the spectators and the audiences of the game. It is like betrayal with them. However, the differences in opinion got emerged due to the reason that according to some, the punishment given to them is much harsh and strict (NewsComAu 2018). The most negative response came from the Australian Cricketers Association that has give the opinion that though the player have done wrong but the process of trail against is them is not fair and full of flaws. Moreover, they have also stated that as the representative organization of the welfare of the Australian first class players, it is their responsibility to provide legal support for the accused.

The main reason behind this kind of response from the Australian Cricketers Association is mainly due to the reason that this association was created for the welfare of the players and their core objective is to support the players in case of any unwarranted incidents. They are only one who is representing the Australian players over others.

There are number of present and past cricketing players came in support or against verdict. One of the notable supports came from the Faf Du Plessis, captain of South Africa. His opinion holds more value due to the reason that he is the captain of the team against whom the ball tampering incident happened. According to him, Steve Smith as a captain is responsible for the entire incident but the punishment given to him is more than enough. According to him, Steve Smith is one of the most genuine and is one of the good guys in place. The major reason for giving opinion against the verdict is the reason that Du Plessis being in the same position of Steve knows the different factors and considerations that force in initiating unethical behaviors and that may not be initiated intentionally.

Conclusion and Recommendations

On the other hand, the Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar has given the opinion that the right decision is being taken. According to him, it is much important to maintain the integrity of the game and initiating of unethical practices should not be tolerated at any way. Thus, according to him, strict punishment given by Cricket Australia will help to convey the message that integrity of the game is much important than the momentous need of winning a particular match (Philpott 2018). However, he also gave the opinion that the accused have already went through enough criticisms and thus they can now be given a second chance.

The most negative comments came from Herschelle Gibbs and Ian Chappel. According to both of them, decision taken against them is right and perfect and the accused players should not be given any second chance. Ian Chappel went a step further and told that after the completion of the 12 months ban, Steve Smith should be given the opportunity of captaincy due to the fact that he already lost the respects of the players as well as of the audiences.

Steve Smith and David Warner are considered as the top two names in the current Australian cricketing scenario. Thus, banning them for 12 months from every form of cricket will reduce their cricketing career to a large extent. Currently, the age of David Warner is 33 and after the 1 year ban, he will be of 34 years of age. Thus, it may be difficult for him to continue his cricketing career after the completion of the ban period. On the other hand, Steve Smith is one of the technically sound players in the current Australian cricket team. Thus, after the completion of the ban, he may not be able to continue his form due to the lack of contact with the competitive cricket. The major loss for Cameron Bancroft is the loss of the early years in his cricketing career. He is about to start his career and this early dent will restrict his future growth. After showing consistent form in the domestic cricket, he got the call from the national team. However, after the completion of the 10 months ban, he will have to again start from scratch and prove his eligibility in the national team.

Apart from all these, another major loss for the trio is the social loss of their reputation and status. This is due to the reason that accusation of ball tampering against them caused huge public outrage and social criticisms. They have lost their respects in the social environment. In addition, they all have to carry the tag of initiator of unethical practices in the cricketing field in their entire life.

Conclusion

Thus, it can be concluded that the trio are wrong in every way possible and the integrity of the game is the utmost important to maintain. However, it can also be said that the verdict against them can be taken by considering their previous records rather than just evaluating them based on one incident. They should be given punishment in order to set an example but the punishment should be given to rectify them rather than ending their entire career. Thus, it is concluded that the months of ban should be reduced by 6 months and they should be given a second chance in restarting their careers. This will enable them to realize their shortcomings and will also be able to rectify them. Thus, this will only meet the objective of rectifying the accused rather than make them isolated from the outer world. Moreover, the reduction of the sentences will save the starting career of Cameron Bancroft.

References

BBC Sport. (2018). www.bbc.com. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/43638316 [Accessed 30 Apr. 2018].

Fuss, F., Subic, A. and Mehta, R., 2013. Solid mechanics and aerodynamics of cricket balls. Routledge Handbook of Sports Technology and Engineering.

NewsComAu. (2018). www.news.com.au. [online] Available at: https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/ball-tampering-saga-moises-henriques-sheds-light-on-david-warner-cameron-bancroft/news-story/76bacfd3b1edc60408c6c58a9a395f87 [Accessed 30 Apr. 2018].

Philpott, S., 2018. The politics of purity: discourses of deception and integrity in contemporary international cricket. Third World Quarterly, 39(4), pp.677-691.

www.theguardian.com. (2018). www.theguardian.com. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/apr/04/steve-smith-accepts-cricket-australia-ban-for-ball-tampering [Accessed 30 Apr. 2018].