‘Steve Smith is suffering on behalf of Australian cricketing sins’

Suffering for his sins: Former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith, left, speaks to the media while his father, Peter, hold his hand on his back in Sydney. Picture: AP

“Nothing is more unjust or capricious than public opinion,” said the writer and literary critic William Hazlitt, and there are several Australian cricket players that might be inclined to agree. Sandpapergate, or the parable of cricket’s prodigal sons, brought forth a torrent of copy and comments to match the cataract of remorseful tears, not least Peter Lalor’s recounting of Smith’s lachrymose and almost unwatchable press conference upon arriving home. Dennis dipped his lid:

“Full marks Steve Smith. You screwed-up and will undoubtedly pay a big price for doing so. Good on you for fronting the media and taking it on the chin.”

Subham saw suffering:

“I couldn’t help think about the passion of Christ and the pain he suffered tomorrow for the entire humanity on Good Friday. Steve Smith is also now suffering on behalf of the Australian cricketing sins … let the Easter Day be the birth of a new Australian Cricket.”

Cricketing catharsis: Steve Smith bares his soul and asks for another chance. Picture: Getty Images

Mandy welcomed the man-up:

“Well said, Peter Lalor! ‘A big man tonight admitted a big mistake — and for what it’s worth, in our house tonight, Steve Smith’s heartfelt apology was appreciated, as well as accepted. He will be a better man for this. He already was better than most.’ Agreed.”

Michael, too:

“A good man apologises and asks for forgiveness and faces those waiting to judge him.”

GreenConservative sought the Holy Grail:

“He failed terribly. He suffers terribly. But how he is able to rise above this and repair his shattered reputation — this is now his new challenge, his new quest. I hope he succeeds. The goodness in him needs to shine through now. No one is beyond salvation. If we don’t believe that, we are no more than beasts.”

Peter was moved:

“Watched a boy become a man last night and watched a father be just that.”

See no evil: Coach Darren Lehmann decides it’s time to move on after witnessing the suffering of Steve Smith. Picture: AFP

Tony was terse:

“I feel anger towards the pompous officials who forced him into this public humiliation. Bring back the stocks, for the officials who deserve it way more than he does. Still, he will be their convenient scapegoat, so some general purpose is served.”

Alison averred:

“Only the hardest of hearts would have been unmoved by watching Smith’s media conference. His genuine distress and remorse were obvious … What a contrast with Warner.”

Gregory was generous:

“Have to admit, that press conference just changed my mind about Steve Smith. He does deserve to be brought back into the fold and given a second chance.”

Roger was rigid:

“Poor petal. Call me old-fashioned, but I’d really rather he took it on the chin. Would an SAS soldier cry?”

Christopher cried:

“Good men cry, Roger. It’s the fools who don’t.”

Roger replied:

“True — but in bereavement or tragedy. Not when they get caught cheating. He’s not a four-year-old.”

Mum’s the word: David Warner, with wife Candace, held his tongue and said he had to get his girls to bed. Picture: AFP.

Douglas demanded:

“Why is Faf du Plessis still captain of South Africa?”

Inta was not into it:

“Crying can be sincere, but most of the time it’s about manipulation. Ask a toddler, they learn its power at a very early age.”

Meh, said Macavity:

“I am Australian. I don’t ‘cherish cricket’. I was not stunned / angry / betrayed / whatever. I just want this to get off the front page.”

Andrew was aghast:

“It’s a bit early for redemption, even in this accelerated news cycle. Even Christ took a few more days to be reborn.”

Can’t touch this: Young cricket fans hammer home their disappointment in disgraced captain Steve Smith after the ball tampering scandal.

Another Andrew was too:

“I’m disgusted with the way a kangaroo court of moralising, holier than though, ignorant public opinion has led to this. Good on you Australia!

“Oh and by the way if you want to read the slimiest, most revolting take on all this just have a read of Waleed Aly’s latest offering in today’s The Age. Using this sorry saga to push his usual barrow of bagging the West in general and Australia in particular. Why that man continues to live in this land he so clearly despises is the greatest hypocrisy of them all.”

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Not cricket: Piet Els in hospital after an attack on his farm outside of Kimberley in South Africa.

Smith’s suffering for cricketing sins seemed small beer compared to the enormity of what is unfolding for white farmers in South Africa. A farmer being tortured for six hours for the keys to an empty safe and other horror stories drew gasps of outrage from our readers. Virginia was vexed:

“An appalling situation on many levels, including white racism and total disregard for the rule of law. A government sanctioned descent into brutality and chaos.

“The curious thing is the ‘progressive’ leftists I know think the white South Africans are getting what they deserve. What the hell are these people reading and watching that makes them think this is OK? The ABC, The Guardian, Fairfax? Scary.”

Brian was bemused:

“David Marr says this is ‘confected’. Barry Cassidy asks what’s ‘driving Dutton’s actions’. Heartless left.”

John joked:

“Don’t forget to watch the ABC Four Corners documentary, ‘South Africa takes the Zimbabwe road to racism and ruin’ with numerous examples of innocent people being murdered, raped and tortured, just because they are white. It will be broadcast on the 12th of Never.”

Risky business: Hannatjie Ludik, 56, from a poor landholding 70km south of Pretoria, was told she could be raped or shot. Three men raped her. They have not been found.

Close to home for Ken, who gets comment of the week:

“I would like to thank Paul Toohey for bringing to the notice of Australians what is happening in South Africa nowadays. We left South Africa many, many years ago. It was the country in which I grew up and loved but it was obvious even then what was going to happen in the future.

“We hoped it would not but deep down we knew it would. This is only the beginning. It is not only the farmers and their wives and children being murdered and raped. It is happening on a regular basis in private homes and when going about everyday life.

“I feel also for the black people who have been let down by their greedy and despotic leaders. They are still poor, they still have no jobs, they still have no homes and still live in shanty towns. They have done nothing whatsoever to lift their people out of poverty, to educate them, to house them, to give them anything at all. They spend on themselves so lavishly it is obscene.”

Do something, said John:

“People criticise Peter Dutton for offering sanctuary to these people? If 2 to 3 farmers are killed each week and we know it is happening and will continue to happen, it is morally responsible to offer them an avenue of escape.”

Gary was grim:

“It is time the world saw what is really happening in South Africa. It is not just expropriation of land it is expropriation of businesses. The new Black Economic Empowerment Act makes it compulsory for all businesses to have at least 25pc black shareholding but preferably 51pc.

“Companies cannot operate commercially any longer without this including family owned business. This is without the strictly imposed racial quotas and other onerous … obligations. The result is that many highly skilled business people and entrepreneurs are leaving. Cry the beloved country.”

Terrorised: Nicci Simpson in recovery after she was assaulted on her farm in South Africa in 2017.

Where are the Greens, asked Geoff:

“They have made careers out of screaming human rights abuses on Manus Island, or a couple of jihadis water boarded, stolen generations … but have nothing to say about this. In fact they brand Peter Dutton a fascist, racist for even bringing up the topic. Shame on the Greens and the left in general.”

James was jolted:

“My god! It doesn’t get any more brutal and sadistic than that. What exactly has to happen to you before you qualify a visa on humanitarian grounds? Get them as many visas as they need right now even if you have got to suspend the program afterwards for a few years.

“You can be guaranteed that these people will not head to Sydney and Melbourne to add to the gridlock, they will go straight to the regions and work hard. The decision to let them come would be looked back on as the smartest decision our immigration department has ever made.”

Praise from Patrick JD:

“Thank God for News Corp reporters who are on the side of decency.”

Last word to William:

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“The Greens and ALP are more of a disgrace than the Australian cricket team.”

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