Australians defend Smith in ‘cheat’ row
Print Edition
AUSTRALIA’S cricket chiefs sprang to the defense of embattled skipper Steve Smith yesterday after he was accused of cheating in the second test against India, amid calls for disciplinary action.
India’s dramatic, 75-run victory on Tuesday in Bangalore, after Australia crashed to 112 all out, has left the four-match series between the world’s top two sides tantalizingly poised at 1-1.
But yesterday’s headlines were dominated by Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s claim that Smith abused the decision review system, after he was seen looking to the Australian dressing-room while considering appealing against his dismissal for leg before wicket.
The rules forbid players to consult with anyone off the pitch about whether to seek a review from the umpires, particularly as support staff have access to TV replays in the dressing-room.
At the post-match press conference, Smith — who was quickly waved off the field by the umpire — admitted he had been at fault, but put it down to a one-off “brain-fade”.
But an angry Kohli said it wasn’t an isolated incident and “that it’s been happening for the last three days, and it has to stop”.
Although Kohli stopped short of accusing Smith of being a cheat, Indian newspapers were less diplomatic. “Smith Caught Cheating,” an Indian Express headline said.
But Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland, who was in Bangalore for the match, defended his captain and team. “I find the allegations questioning the integrity of Steve Smith, the Australian team and the dressing room, outrageous,” he said.
Coach Darren Lehman also threw his weight behind Smith, saying the Australian team was well aware of its responsibilities. “He (Kohli) has his opinion and we have ours, but at the end of the day we play the game the right way,” Lehmann said.
But Smith’s cause was not helped when his predecessor Michael Clarke voiced doubt over whether it was really a one-off, given that the non-striker Peter Handscomb seemed to suggest he consult the dressing room.
“If what Virat Kohli is saying is true and Australia are using their support staff to help them decide on a DRS decision then that’s not on, that’s unacceptable,” Clarke told India Today.
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