Caught in the act

[TightEnd]

Cricket Australia announce Steve Smith has stood down as captain for the remainder of Cape Town Test. Warner stood down as vice captain too

Despite a fearsome bowling attack, Australia have struggled to get swing in the middle of innings in recent times. Only Zimbabwe average less movement after the 25th over in the last two years of Test cricket.

[TightEnd]

Here's a handy graphic showing the amount of swing Australia have found in overs 25-80 over the last 18 months.

The three Tests with the most swing are the last three matches.

Interesting.

[tikay]

Truly fabulous news story, this, fascinates in so many ways.

"stood down" as Captain & Vice-Captain? WTF? Both should be sacked with immediate effect, & the Team play the rest of the game without them.

I hope Bairstow sent Bancroft an "in your eye, Son" message overnight, too.

[tikay]

And rofl @ Smith saying "nah, I won't be standing down, lets just move on".

WTF has it got to do with Smith? It's not his decision. The selectors should snap sack him. Like right now.

[RED-DOG]

How come other athletes and sportsmen/women can be and often are automatically banned for years or even life?

Why is it different for cricketers?

[Tal]

How come other athletes and sportsmen/women can be and often are automatically banned for years or even life?

Why is it different for cricketers?

This is a single incident, more like a deliberate handball to score or stop a goal. Expect a ban after the test from the ICC.

Australia have been getting a lot of stick the last couple of years. Definitely a feel of "them and us". Far from an excuse - who could excuse this? - as it's not clear its cause is from outside the squad.

[tikay]

How come other athletes and sportsmen/women can be and often are automatically banned for years or even life?

Why is it different for cricketers?

This is a single incident, more like a deliberate handball to score or stop a goal. Expect a ban after the test from the ICC.

Australia have been getting a lot of stick the last couple of years. Definitely a feel of "them and us". Far from an excuse - who could excuse this? - as it's not clear its cause is from outside the squad.

Yes, but the rule needs looking at. The "fine", apparently, is 5 runs. With over 400 runs on the board, what difference does 5 runs make?

Sack the lot of them.

Been trying to resist saying it, but it's just not cricket, is it?

[tikay]

Actually, I was a little hasty there in suggesting they be snap sacked, sorry, I got carried away.

Have them shot instead. Nice & slowly. Not fatally, but right in the ego area. 

[Tal]

How come other athletes and sportsmen/women can be and often are automatically banned for years or even life?

Why is it different for cricketers?

This is a single incident, more like a deliberate handball to score or stop a goal. Expect a ban after the test from the ICC.

Australia have been getting a lot of stick the last couple of years. Definitely a feel of "them and us". Far from an excuse - who could excuse this? - as it's not clear its cause is from outside the squad.

Yes, but the rule needs looking at. The "fine", apparently, is 5 runs. With over 400 runs on the board, what difference does 5 runs make?

Sack the lot of them.

Been trying to resist saying it, but it's just not cricket, is it?

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/143193.html

I think the hidden story in this is the success of TV. It's probably always gone on, much as we love to view the old days in sepia.

This was on the big screen and everyone saw it.

[Karabiner]

Steve Smith referring to it being a decision taken by the "leadership group" rather than front it up himself as captain is pretty lily-livered imo.

It is also pretty sinister that they recruited a young player to do some of the dirty work - shades of Mohamed Amir.

[tikay]

Yes, they have all been cheating for decades, it's not new & not unique to Australians, odious as they are.

Except England, obv.

England NEVER cheat. Ever. We lose instead. And we lose jolly well. 

[tikay]

Steve Smith referring to it being a decision taken by the "leadership group" rather than front it up himself as captain is pretty lily-livered imo.

It is also pretty sinister that they recruited a young player to do some of the dirty work - shades of Mohamed Amir.

Yup, agree.

The kid got hung out to dry, but when asked who the so-called "leadership group" were, he replied "no names".

Oh boy, can't wait for the next Ashes series here. I might even apply to join Barmy Army.

[tikay]

Anyone watch NZ v England overnight?

The Barmy Army all had yellow tape in their hands.

Incred.

[booder]

Anyone watch NZ v England overnight?

The Barmy Army all had yellow tape in their hands.

Incred.

 

[TightEnd]

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