Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft slammed by Test greats over interviews as Warner finds support
Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith are under fire from former Test greats for their tell-all interviews while David Warner has found some allies within the Australian dressing room.
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Aaron Finch has declared he wants David Warner back in the Australian dressing room, as ex-legends turned up the heat on the teammates who have thrown him under the bus.
The public support offered for Warner and Steve Smith by one-day captain Finch comes as a significant development, after Cricket Australia boss Kevin Roberts revealed to The Daily Telegraph that he would canvass the attitudes of Finch and Test skipper Tim Paine for their view on if and when the banned players should represent their country again.
Cameron Bancroft and Smith came under fire for their tell-all interviews from Test captaincy great Allan Border who is adamant the duo should have let sleeping dogs lie.
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Powerful voice Shane Warne also stuck up for Warner over the bind he’s been put in by teammates and the game, while fellow Fox Cricket caller Kerry O’Keeffee called on Smith to stop making excuses and accept full “ownership” of the Sandpapergate incident.
Warner has copped it from all angles in the past week amid suggestions there remains opposition to him from members of the Australian team.
However, keeping his powder dry may ultimately work in Warner’s favour as he vies for an international return at the World Cup.
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In a major step towards his reintegration, Finch said he would personally welcome Warner and Smith into his squad to defend the World Cup this winter.
“It’s nine months ago and I think in the next three months when Davey and Steve are ready to be allowed to come back and play cricket for Australia and their States I think from my point of view, they’ll be welcomed back with open arms,” said Finch.
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“I think that whatever has happened has happened. The punishment has been dealt. They’ve been working really hard off the field to meet every criteria and gone above and beyond everything that has been asked of them to come back and play international cricket again.”
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Speaking on Fox Cricket’s Come in Spinner, one of the most respected names in cricket — Border — said Smith and Bancroft had failed by choosing to speak out.
“My personal view is I would have preferred the interviews weren’t done,” said Border.
“They’re just rehashing a lot of stuff we already know and what was the point of it all? They could have just admitted they’re all responsible for doing the wrong thing.”
Warne said Australian cricket had unfairly marginalised Warner.
“I feel for Davey Warner because he’s stuck in a real hard position right now,” said Warne.
“Dave Warner might take the option, ‘I don’t want to talk about it, I’ve had enough, I’ve said my piece I just want to get on play cricket.’
“I think this has just resurfaced everything which is a shame. They’ve been through absolute hell let’s start supporting them.”
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Both Bancroft and Smith’s interviews were defined by the qualifications that were added to their acceptance of responsibility.
Bancroft claimed he didn’t know any better, while Smith alluded to the problem starting with a dressing room spray given by former CEO James Sutherland and ex-high performance boss Pat Howard back in 2016-17.
Former Test spinner O’Keeffee said as an Australian captain, Smith had to do better.
“I want to hear Steve Smith say ‘I take full ownership of what happened and not say it’s Pat Howard and James Sutherland’s fault,” said O’Keeffe on Fox.
“You can’t blame your bosses. He’s never said, ‘I take full ownership.”
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