Australian cricketers pictured smoking during Ashes celebrations
THEY’VE beaten the Old Dart but now Australia’s all conquering Ashes heroes have been slammed for taking up the darts.
National
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THEY’VE beaten the Old Dart but now Australia’s all conquering Ashes heroes have been slammed for taking up the darts.
Two of Australia’s players Shaun Marsh and Jackson Bird were captured smoking during the team’s celebrations in Sydney on Tuesday following their 4-0 Ashes win.
Marsh and Bird were partying alongside teammates at trendy Sydney locale, the Coogee Pavilion in the city’s eastern suburbs.
The pair freely puffed away in public as other players chatted nearby.
Dr Michael Gannon, the president of the Australian Medical Association was unimpressed.
“One answer is that they are private citizens but the truth is they are role models at an elite level that are looked up to by boys and girls and men and women across Australia and they expect a certain level of behaviour,” he said.
WATCH THE AUSSIES’ CELEBRATIONS IN THE MEDIA PLAYER ABOVE
“They take part in something that is very positive and very healthy and it is disappointing that they are doing something like this.”
Dr Sarah White from Quit Victoria said the players were sending a bad message to fans.
“It is really poor judgment and really poor role modelling for them to be doing this in public,” she said.
“Cricket in Australian presents itself as family friendly but this is at direct odds with that given that smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death and disease in Australia.
“I would expect better judgment. It goes against their elite sports modelling and their healthy behaviour on the field.
“Smoking is against social norms in Australia and these players are doing damage by virtue with the regard they are held in by young Australians.”
Maurice Swanson, the President of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health said he was “shocked”.
“I am incredibly disappointed they are smoking in a public place,” he said.
“You would think in 2018 that well educated people like Shaun Marsh and Jackson Bird would know better.”
One of Australia’s leading social analysts David Chalke said the players should know better.
“Smoking really is beyond the pale these days. It is not simply having a bit of fun it is very anti-social,” Chalke said.
“The players are role models and after all the good work that has been done to suppress smoking it is disappointing to see.
“It’s not cool and it is not fashionable. If they are doing this, if they have to do it, they should not be doing it in public, they should be doing it in private.”
Cricket Australia declined to be drawn into the debate.
“We are aware the players celebrated in a responsible manner following Australia’s Ashes win,” a spokesman told News Corp.
The majority of players in Australia’s Ashes winning squad attended the 10-hour celebration, including captain Steve Smith, fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc and Shaun Marsh’s brother Mitchell.
Witnesses said the celebrations were relatively low key and good natured and the players happily chatted with fans and posed for selfies.
At one stage the players broke into singing a Barmy Army tune about English allrounder Moeen Ali.
Usman Khawaja was the only player who didn’t make the celebration.
Smith was the first to arrive at the venue around 12pm and was the last to leave around 10 hours later.
