Cricket Australia’s CEO Heads to South Africa for Ball-Tampering Investigation

In his latest update to fans on the investigation into ball-tampering in Cape Town, Cricket Australia’s CEO James Sutherland has sent a personal email informing them that the organisation’s Head of Integrity will arrive in South Africa shortly, and that he himself will travel to SA this evening, arriving Tuesday morning local time.

Sutherland said once he arrives tomorrow morning “I will meet with our Head of Integrity to understand the findings of the investigation to that point, and to consider the outcomes.

“We are aiming to be in a position to fully update the Australian public on the investigation and outcomes on Wednesday morning AEDT.

“We understand the strong interest everyone has in this situation and we are following due process to properly address all of the relevant issues involved.

“We recognise how important the fans are to our game, and this process is the beginning of restoring your faith in Australian Cricket.”

According to some reports, former Captain Steve Smith and Vice Captain David Warner could face “exemplary punishment” from Cricket Australia… which some say could even mean a life ban.

Australians around the nation have been shocked and outraged. The country’s prime minister asked: “How can our team be engaged in cheating like this? It beggars belief.”

South African captain Faf du Plessis has shown a little more compassion for Smith, having been in a similar situation a couple of times himself, most recently in 2016 when he was found guilty of using saliva from a mint in his mouth to tamper with a ball.

Du Plessis told reporters: “I can understand it’s a really tough time for him to be in right now,” said du Plessis. Obviously the situation I was in was really difficult for me as well. Because people were attacking me, my personality and my character.

“And I felt it was wrong. It wasn’t fair. I don’t know how he feels about his own situation. Ball shining versus ball tampering, they’re two very different situations. One is definitely much more serious than the other… What he did is against the ICC rule book. He knows that, he’s owned up to it… He’s trying to take responsibility, so there’s right in that.”

Meanwhile the arrogance and holier-than-thou attitude that some Australian cricket players have allegedly displayed in the last couple of years, has come back to bite them. Listen to former Warner’s comments after the ICC charged du Plessis for that 2016 ball tampering…

David Warner’s “Appalled” Response to Faf du Plessis Ball Tampering comes back to bite him:

Yeah… about that, Dave. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/DrCd8ASkN3

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) March 25, 2018