‘They’ve been used as scapegoats’: Your take on Cricket Australia’s role in ball-tampering scandal
Now that Cricket Australia (CA) has taken responsibility for its part in creating the culture that led to the ball-tampering scandal, questions have been asked of the bans it gave to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
We asked you if the review into CA's governance and culture — which accused the organisation of not handling situations which go against them well by reverting to "bullying tactics" and "ostracising" — changed what you thought about the bans.
Should the players be allowed to come back early? Or should they stay banned? Here's what you said:
A LOT of you felt Cricket Australia used the players as a scapegoat
CA's part in the scandal now just to me highlights that, in banning Smith, Warner and Bancroft, they were trying to create scapegoats to cover up their own pitfalls. Bring the players back into the fold now! — Cameron D
The awful culture at CA that induced their behaviour was not apparent until this recent investigation. CA should take responsibility for the pressure placed on Smith and Warner and the entire Australian team to produce wins. The time spent under the bans, humiliation and public recrimination is more than sufficient in terms of punishment and deterrence and they should be allowed to return to the game. — Annabel W
Considering the actions taken form other sporting organisations around the world for this type of offence we've taken it a bit overboard and frankly are perpetrating hypocrisy from CA, harbouring win at all costs and then handing out the biggest punishment ever? Seems a little convenient. — Jack E
I reckon CA was just trying to maintain their image through the lengthy sentences passed to Smith, Warner and Bancroft. Bring them back early! They've served their time — Joshua D
This is huge news, if CA perpetrated the culture that eventually led to this scandal. It is incredibly unfair on their part to levy such excessive penalties on the individuals accused of wrongdoing — Warner, Smith and Bancroft should be allowed to come back early. —Bakhtawar G
Bring them back immediately. Acknowledge that they were scapegoats and offer support. — Robert S
But many felt the players were responsible for their own actions
CA taking responsibility for creating a toxic culture doesn't negate the conscious decision of three grown men to cheat, they should stay banned. — Julia P
A culture doesn't force an individual to make bad choices. You still have the ability to choose a path you take and they made the wrong choice. Weakening punishment sends the wrong message about sportsmanship and personal accountability. A light punishment is no deterrent for anyone contemplating making the same mistake. But CA needs to be cleaned out, too, of all of the rotten eggs involved not just some taking the rap for all and leaving some of the rot behind to fester again in the future. — Magdalena M
CA did not issue a directive to the players, they chose that course of action!!! It's weak captaincy, that has been spoken about in a number of other tests, lesson learned. Move on!! — David O
Some of you felt something had to change within Cricket Australia
Joint culpability. Facilitating and doing are two distinct but contributory facets to this occurrence. Needs to be considered as such, and in doing so a small concession on the initial punishments. — James M
I think CA should release the metric by which they decided on these bans, and in turn the staff responsible at CA should be banned or moved on. It's an embedded culture problem, not just the acts of three players. It should be clear how the ban lengths were decided, and why. CA have been attempting to cover up all the details, and we should know why! — Declan K
I believe the ban is still relevant and should continue to be enforced. However CA need to be held accountable to their commitments to change the "anything to win" culture and uphold the high standards expected of any professional organisation representing Australia. I would like to see CA step up and nurture Australia's future cricketers with more involvement at school level. A reminder that cricket is fun! — Kiri J
I think the players involved have paid the price for their behaviour. What we need to see now is a changing of the guard at CA. All well and good to accept responsibility for the culture, but if we really want to see a new culture we need to see new leadership. — Siobhan Caulfield
A few of you just wanted to watch Australia play better cricket
Bring them back! Our cricket team is shit right now. Have Cricket Australia give a public apology and bring back Smith, Bancroft and Warner. — Timothy D
I think the boys concerned have learned their lessons and need to come back to play for Australia as Australia are playing rubbish in tests and T20 at the moment. — Chris W
… And then there was Robbie
I think cricket is irrelevant in October. Please ask me again in January when I care. — Robbie T
Read the independent report in full.
External Link: Ethic Centre's organisational review into Cricket Australia
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