Cricket crisis: Eerie reminders as lives shattered

How quickly fortunes can change and how swiftly a sporting controversy can rip apart someone's life.

Former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith breaks down delivering his emotional apology. Picture: Steve Christo

COMMENT

ANYONE who doesn't feel some sympathy for embattled former Australian cricket captain Steve Smith and vice captain David Warner's wife Candice is pretty heartless.

The outpouring of emotion as Smith and the Warner family returned to Sydney airport last night highlighted how one mistake can shatter a person's life and how family can become undeserved victims.

Seeing Smith break down during his "truly sorry'' conference showed how genuinely remorseful the Allan Border Medal winner was.

Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft also delivered an honest self-reflection of what he did wrong when he faced massive public scrutiny on his arrival back in Western Australia.

The jury is still out on David Warner after his part in the ball-tampering saga.

Let's wait and see whether he can share such an open and heart-wrenching response when he finally faces the proverbial music.

However, you have to feel for his wife Candice and their children.

How quickly fortunes can change and how swiftly a sporting controversy can rip apart someone's life.

Some comments in the Daily Telegraph from the Allan Border Medal night in February highlighted this.

After beaming with excitement as she arrived in a stunning dress, Candice said: "I feel beautiful. It's such a great night and fun to get dressed up. It's nice to be next to my husband and support him. 2018 will be a great year for everyone.''

How eerie those words sound in hindsight, just weeks later following everything that unfolded in South Africa.

From being an optimistic and happy partner of an international cricketer, the former ironwoman has been dragged into the mess.

While ball-tampering and attempts to cheat can never be justified, it's just as concerning to see families suffering from a sporting misdemeanour.

Ditto Smith's father who provided that extended arm of support during Steve's heartfelt apology on his return to Australia.

As any leader should, Steve acknowledged his wrongdoing and didn't try to hide. He deserves credit for that.

But one can only imagine what Smith's fiancee Dani Willis is going through.

In a similar revealing insight as Candice provided on Allan Border Medal night, Dani also recently explained how much cricket means to her high profile partner.

"Steve never really switches off from cricket,'' Dani told the Daily Telegraph.

"He wakes up every day with the hunger to keep improving.''

Everyone who saw Smith's sorrow-charged six-minute response at Sydney airport could surely see how true Dani's words were.

He was shattered. He was in pain. He was a captain dealing with relentless pressure.

As the saga continues to unfold, with national coach Darren Lehmann also standing down, sporting fans around the world are surely waiting with anticipation to see what happens next.

The domino effect is almost certain to claim more scalps.

Dave Warner's response should be compelling and hopefully offered with the same brutal honesty that Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft shared.

There's no winners in all this.

Cricket fans can be forgiven for still feeling cynical and upset. But compassion is needed at the moment. It's too early to expect forgiveness but showing sympathy when unperfect people own up to their mistakes is a solid start.

Hopefully the cricket world will now see Australia is serious about dealing with wrongs in the game and that those involved can start restoring some respect.

Most of all, let's hope the families at the heart of this sad state of affairs can also move on in their lives.

It's time to take proactive steps to help those in need and rebuild the reputation of a national sport in mourning.

Originally published as Cricket crisis: Eerie reminders as lives shattered