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read moreAn independent report into Cricket Australia has branded the organisation as "arrogant" and "controlling” and partly responsible for the ball-tampering incident that led to bans for former captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner.
Released today, the 147-page report, produced by the Ethics Centre, into the organisation’s culture found there was "strong systemic and organisational input” into the decision to cheat during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in March.
Interviewees said Australian cricket’s governing body adopted bullying behaviour, ostracised people and created a “win-at-all-costs” mentality that pushed players to “play the mongrel”.
The strong words of the review are likely to lead to calls for more lenient sentences for Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. Smith was handed a 12-month ban, Bancroft nine months and Warner - who was identified as the ringleader - a 12-month ban and a guarantee that he would never hold a leadership role with the national team.
Key parts of the report stated "the most common description of CA is as ‘arrogant’ and ‘controlling’, adding "the core complaint is that the organisation does not respect anyone other than its own. Players feel that they are treated as commodities.
“Australian cricket has lost its balance ... and has stumbled badly. The reputation of the game of cricket, as played by men, has been tainted. Women’s cricket remains unaffected.
“The ball-tampering incident at the Newlands Ground in South Africa can be seen as an aberration ... however, to think this would be mistaken. We have seen evidence that the structures built around elite cricket are oriented to winning, without properly counting the cost.”
The report was also critical of the widespread use of sledging, advising that the drive to win meant players were frequently asked to “play the mongrel”.
Cricket Australia Chairman, David Peever, said he accepted responsibility for what happened in South Africa, stating "we wanted to know what was wrong and what we could do better.
“We voluntarily commissioned the review because we wanted to look in the mirror.”
However, Peever rejected calls to resign, commenting that he was “looking forward immensely” to the future of Australian cricket.
Test captain Tim Paine, who replaced Smith, said he understood the findings of the review into players’ on-field behaviour that led to the establishment of a players’ charter.
The Players’ Pact will become “the overarching statement as to how cricketers in Australia should play the game, respecting its traditions”.
Paine said he was not surprised the report found players “lived in a bubble”.
Paine advised "potentially we got a little bit wrapped up in our own self-importance. We are the lucky ones playing for Australia. It’s not our cricket team, it’s Australia’s cricket team and I think for a little while we lost that.”
Paine would not be drawn on whether the report should lead to leniency for his former teammates, adding “I don’t think it’s about blame so much. I think everyone has admitted over the last 12 months that there have been mistakes made. To sit here and blame people isn’t going to help anyone.”
Peever said the sanctions for the three players would stand.
The report made 42 recommendations including the establishment of an ethics commission, and mandatory leadership training for senior players.
It also recommends that the award of the Allan Border medal take into account character and behaviour as well as performance, and that selectors take into account a player’s character as well as their skills when picking teams.
The report also recommends that the role of vice-captain “be de-coupled from that of ‘heir apparent’ for the captaincy”, and that the player’s anti-harassment code be modified to ban abusive sledging.
Cricket Australia has fully supported 34 of the recommendations, is considering seven, and rejected one, which would excuse players from international T20 to play Sheffield Shield and grade cricket.
Many sections of the report were redacted. Cricket Australia said this was due to defamation risk, at the advice of external lawyers, due to the honesty of the review.
Image: Cameron Bancroft tampering with the ball in South Africa earlier this year as broadcast Fox Sports cameras.
3rd October 2018 - Kevin Roberts named new Cricket Australia Chief Executive
14th September 2018 - Out-of-court settlement ends Cricket Australia abortion comment sacking saga
22nd June 2018 - Woolworths to partner Cricket Australia from grassroots to elite level
8th June 2018 - Australian scandal leads ICC Cricket Committee to recommend stronger sanctions for ball-tampering
13th April 2018 - Cricket Australia secures $1.2 billion broadcast deal
6th April 2018 - Assurances over future of Cricket Australia’s James Sutherland as review panel announced
29th March 2018 - Sports Commission backs Cricket Australia player bans
29th March 2018 - Magellan quits Cricket Australia Test sponsorship
27th March 2018 - Awkward choices for Cricket Australia in wake of ball tampering scandal
26th March 2018 - Skins Chairman Jaimie Fuller publishes scathing letter to Cricket Australia following ball tampering
25th March 2018 - Australian cricket in turmoil over ball-tampering scandal
11th January 2018 - Cricket Australia and Milo end 25 year sponsorship of junior game
2nd August 2017 - Cricket Australia and players’ union reach landmark pay deal
8th April 2017 - Cricket Australia looks to transform junior game to attract new participants
4th April 2017 - Research shows cricket has Australian sport’s largest social media reach
9th May 2016 - Australian Sports Commission warns sports about match-fixing and doping risks
8th November 2012 - New unit to protect the integrity of Australia sport
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