SYDNEY: Australian cricketer Steve Smith has been accused of indecent exposure during the Sydney Cricket Test, which has sparked controversy over repeated racist remarks by Australian cricket fans. The controversy erupted when Steve Smith erased a stump camera during Indian Rishabh Pant’s ‘Guard Mark’ match. The ‘guard mark’ is what the batsmen mark with the bat at the crease with the help of the umpire to determine the position of the stump. The position of the batsman stumping with the help of the umpire is a regular sight in cricket.
Smith has been accused of tampering with the ‘guard mark’ marked by Indian batsman Rishabh during the fifth day of the Sydney Test. The incident took place when the Indian batsmen left the pitch to drink water during the batting break. Smith arrived at the crease at a time when the attention of players and umpires was shifting, and unknowingly erased the ‘guard mark’ with his shoe. The video shows Smith batting at the crease imitating a left-handed batsman. He then looked around and erased the ‘guard mark’ on the crease with his shoe.
The ball then reached the crease with the help of the umpire, marking the ‘guard mark’ again. Rishabh, who was injured while batting in the first innings, was in explosive form in the second innings. His 97 off 118 balls may have given India the dream of victory. Smith, meanwhile, is accused of attempting fraud.
The incident became public and controversial when Smith came to the crease and unknowingly erased the ‘guard mark’ and was caught on stump camera. At the same time, some argue that this was a natural reaction on Smith’s part. However, in cricket, known as the ‘Gentlemen’ ‘game, Smith’s disrespectful work has drawn sharp criticism from fans. The image of Smith erasing the ‘guard mark’ has been widely circulated on social media. Although the face of the star is not clear in the circulating video, the fans found the man looking at the number 49 jersey.
Fans remembering ball scraping
With the revelation of Smith’s ‘cheat’, many fans took to the stage to commemorate the infamous ball-scratching controversy of 2018. During the 2018 Test against South Africa in Cape Town, Australia’s Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were found guilty of ball tampering.
The controversy erupted on the third day of the third Test against South Africa. The controversy was sparked by Australia’s Cameron Bancroft scraping the ball with sandpaper. The umpire, who noticed the incident, examined the footage and summoned Bancroft for questioning. Bancroft later told a news conference that he had pleaded guilty to the charges.
It was later revealed that Bancroft had manipulated the ball with the knowledge of captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner. This led to a lot of criticism of Smith and his team. Smith’s explanation that he tried to favor the ball because it was a match that had to be won by any means was like adding fuel to the fire.
Australia then recalled the three players during the series. All three were banned from cricket after an investigation. Smith lost his captaincy and Warner his vice-captaincy. Earlier, during a cricket test in Bengaluru in 2017, Smith sought the help of a dressing room to pick up DRS.
English Summary: Steve Smith scruffs out batsman’s guard, fans slam Australian cricketer’s unsportsmanlike action
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