Re: Smith's Crew in SA
Reply #236 –
I'm happy to see our country's administration being the first to properly that ball tampering seriously. Problem is the ICC only grade it as a level 2 offence same as dissent towards an umpire. All it means if someone gets caught they just give away a 5 run penalty and change the ball if needed. The player gets a fine or one match. Not a real disincentive. It's been going on since the day dot and only the dumb ones get caught.
I'm also glad out administrators went to South Africa as it might send them a message too after they just bitched and complained when Faf got caught, which is now twice, and is STILL captain, not to mention Philander in 2014. Let them know what they are supposed to do when the system is cheated.
The ball tampering itself is not a big deal, it's not like it offers a clear benefit.
I see the current events as being more politically motivated, it's about the hypocrisy!
Even so there is no defense for Smith and Warner, but the penalties need to be proportional to du Plessis and Philander or CA will legally shoot itself in the foot!
btw., A while back the BCCI funded a university to look into the aerodynamics of a cricket ball. They spent a lot of money trying to find the formula that makes a ball swing and a bunch of very smart people drew a blank trying to establish a repeatable and reproducible regime!