This little boy’s letter is why Steve Smith will be OK

WITH just a few sentences — and a heartbreaking offer — a seven-year-old has shown why Steve Smith will be forgiven and welcomed back with open arms, writes Justin Smith.

WITH the anger and sadness of the sandpaper scandal, an old school mate of mine showed me a letter.

It was written by his seven-year old nephew to Steve Smith. And it’s as beautiful as it is important.

His name is River. It’s a good name for a cricket-loving kid from Tongala, near Echuca, on the Murray.

And it’s the kind of letter that can only be written by a child. Scrawly writing and short sentences, where every word is full of emotion and honesty (a couple of things that tend to get drained out of us as we become adults), and all spelling mistakes are forgiven.

This is River’s letter:

“Hi Steve I am River and I am 7. I know you’re realy Sad and Sorry. I can’t wait to see you bat in 12 months time. If you want me to bowl you some leggies just yell out. Remember when you made 687 runs in the Ashes? I do and it was awsome. I hope time comes quick and you’re back playing for the Aussies. You are still my favourite player. I have the same New Balance bat as you. I play Mini Blues at the Tongala Cricket Club. From River”.

And at the bottom of the letter, there’s a drawing from River of himself and Steve Smith on a good green pitch — with River on 157 runs and Smith on 170.

River’s letter to Steve Smith. (Pic: supplied)

The offer to bowl for Smith in the practice nets is the bit that really gets you. It brings an image of an isolated man, left with no one to play with. And after watching his tortuous press conference, it’s an easy image to imagine.

As angry and disappointed as we were with Smith for his failure of leadership, we melted at the sight of him breaking down in front of the whole country, and begging his apologies.

He deserves his punishments, and I personally think he should have got a bit more, but there’s got to be room for forgiveness. River’s letter is a good reminder of that, and it explains why the scandal hurt us so much.

These athletes are heroes, especially to kids. They’re not just rich athletes with good looking wives and chunky sponsorship deals. They are something a child dreams being.

I’ve heard people compare the sandpaper scandal to the cheating that gets done by our politicians, and they wonder why we’re not as harsh on them. There’s a simple answer to that: cricket is better than politics. Always has been.

And seven-year olds don’t care about politics. Then when they grow up and start voting, they realise that politicians are natural cheats. They are always knifing each other and rorting their travel entitlements and using our money for their own glory.

Former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith was visibly upset when addressing the media about the ball-tampering plan that unravelled in South Africa. (Pic: Steve Christo)

It’s expected. It’s sadly normal. But the game of cricket, and its history, is something that we can love and rely on. That’s why the last week has been genuinely painful.

It’s hard to imagine a seven-year old writing Daniel Andrews a letter, hoping he recovers from the Red Shirt Army rort, and telling him that he’s looking forward to seeing him campaigning for the November election.

We don’t expect our politicians to teach our children anything about life. But we do want our cricketers to show them how to play hard and with honour, and get the best out of themselves. We don’t want them giving instructions on which side of the ball gets the sandpaper, and where you hide it when the umps see.

It’s why I never want Dave Warner to play for Australia again.

But Steve Smith is different, and he’s now able to teach River about something more than cricket. He’s able to show him that there will be a time when he completely stuff things up, and it’s what he does from there that matters.

So Steve, here is your chance. You are truly loved when a child draws a picture of you. There’s nothing like it. It’s a privilege.

You can now repay River’s love and forgiveness. He and his mates would love to have you at a training session. It’s a great part of the world. I know, I grew up about 15 minutes from the oval.

And go the Tongala Mini Blues!

Justin Smith is a 3AW presenter and News Corp columnist.

@justinsmith3AW