I was watching the cricket telecast when I saw it unfold and at first thought "Bancroft's working that ball vigourously, hang on, why did he put his hand back into his pocket?" Then it unfolded like a bad dream. I was thinking Lehmann then had either seen the footage for himself (as they have the TV feed into the players and coaches room) or had been alerted to it, thus the walkie-talkie down to Handscomb and the reason for putting his hand in front of his mouth so nobody could lip read (knowing he was in full view of the cameras). We saw Handscomb mouth an exclamation, then go out on the field to alert Bancroft.
Then it was Trousergate...and the audible comment by either a cameraman or commentator on Foxtel when the yellow piece of tape was clearly viable was "Oh My God." or similar. I knew at that stage it wasn't looking at all good for the Aussies. The attempt to pass off the glasses softcase was unbelievably stupid. Then of course the Tea interval was the commentators picking apart the footage - so I went to bed thinking there's going to be hell to pay at the end of play.
I had saved the news reports and played them to my wife last night, who whilst she is not a cricket follower, was similarly dumbstruck by the mindblowing stupidity that they didn't think they were going to get caught.
Whether Lehmann knew or didn't know - well if he did, he's as guilty as the rest of them. If he didn't - well that's not much of a defence either. If they shielded their plans behind his back, then it does say more about the players involved but also questions whether Lehmann is fit to lead (given the era of sledging and now ball tampering). Ah, the unintended consequences are coming home to roost.
I am ashamed and embarrassed that the "group" involved are representing me as an Australian. I have no doubt it includes more than Smith and Bancroft (the truth will come out) and the investigation by the ACA Head of integrity should make for interesting reading. Glad to see the initial ICC sanctions and am sure there will be more to come for more players, both at ICC and ACA level.
If it means that we lose the next Test (and the Series), then that is squarely on the shoulders of those complicit with the ball tampering decision. I feel sorry for the innocent players, unless they knew about it and chose not to do any action (tell Lehmann or other coaching staff that ball tampering was being contemplated).
Hopefully the rebuilding of the Australian team will include an ethics code that is enforced rigourously - if I need to do them in my industry, maybe it's good enough for the cricketers.
