Australia's Cricketing Crisis Continues and May Actually Never End

Don’t know if you’ve heard but Australian cricketing culture and by extension our democracy at large have recently been brought into disrepute courtesy of a BALL TAMPERING SCANDAL orchestrated by Australian test captain Steve Smith, vice captain David Warner, and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft.

As a result the public has been subjected to 24/7 crotch footage of Bancroft trying to hide a bright yellow piece of sandpaper (not sticky tape, as was initially reported) from the cameras literally trained to broadcast his every movement on a number of huge screens being watched by thousands of spectators and also tens of thousands of television viewers. Plus approximately one million op-eds from cricketing experts and former players detailing how disappointed and let down they are by the whole thing. Shane Warne stands relatively alone in his assertion that Steve Smith deserves a break from the onslaught of criticism he has received.

So what’s the latest? Some new details have been revealed overnight, and it would seem that Australia’s three naughtiest boys will face the consequences of their actions. Smith and Warner have both been suspended for 12 months, and Bancroft is out for nine. Cricket Australia found that it was Warner who presented the sandpaper plan to Bancroft in the dressing room, but Smith became aware of it and gave his approval. Cricket experts have quietly pointed out that Smith and Warner can still continue to play on the lucrative international Twenty20 cricket circuit.

Additional details: footage has emerged of Smith being escorted by South African police through Johannesburg International Airport, besieged by cameras, and will give a press conference when he touches down in Sydney. The grovelling will likely be something to behold. Australian test coach Darren Lehmann has also given a teary press conference asking the media to take the mental health of his players into account.

Aaaaand you’re about up to date. Until the next story hits in half an hour or so. Follow Kat on Twitter