Twitter explodes as Steve Smith handed punishment

Steve Smith has been an exceptional cricketer with tons of runs under his belt across the globe. However, when it comes to playing as per the spirit of the game, Smith doesn’t set the right example by any stretch of the imagination. He has been involved in numerous controversies owing to which he has been slapped with criticisms, both by the cricketing fraternity and the general audience.

The current Test match between South Africa and Australia hasn’t turned out to be a memorable game for the New South Wales-born cricketer. Earlier, he had been alleged for deliberately throwing the ball at AB de Villiers. Yesterday, he got himself tangled in another controversy which panned out during the post-lunch session at Cape Town.

The confession and punishment for Smith

Cameron Bancroft was caught by the camera while he was trying to insert a sharp object inside his underpants, which was suspected to have been used for altering the shape of the ball. The incident hogged the headlines immediately after which Bancroft was greeted with flak and trolls from every nook and corner of the cricket world. Meanwhile, Steve Smith revealed the heart of the matter during the press conference after the day’s play.

The Aussie skipper admitted having been aware of the tactic beforehand after which he stepped down from the leadership role in the ongoing game. He was also handed a ban of one Test and a fine of 100 percent of his match fees.  The punishment also meant that Smith won’t be taking part in the fourth and final Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, Cameron Bancroft also was fined 75 percent of his match fees along with three demerit points.

After the incident, Twitter wasn’t ready to spare Smith either for his unsportsmanlike behaviour and for marring the sanctity of the ‘Gentleman’s game’

Here are the reactions from Twitterati  

I'm sure someone has already said this. But is cheating to win "not as bad" as cheating for cash? 1 match ban is a joke. #stevesmith #AUSvsSA

— Mary Laws (@wasmaz) March 25, 2018

Just one match ban ? A skipper can plan and cheat and take a break from next match if they get caught. Is this even a punishment? Great!!! #AUSvSA #balltampering #SteveSmith https://t.co/hjjrJTZs30

— ? (@gueswhoamii) March 25, 2018

These sledging zeroes from the team #Australia are habitual offenders. This time they just got caught red-handed! The punishment meted out to @stevesmith49 is too less in light of the incident!!#SteveSmith and the so-called #leadershipgroup !#SandpaperGate #balltampering

— wildglory (@shagunkant) March 25, 2018

@ICC you people banned #rabada for that silly physical touch which has not affected or damaged anyone on the field. But the one who has damaged test cricket's image by that #BallTampering incident only 1 test Suspension?? #SteveSmith #StopFavouringAussies

— Dhoni ♥ (@ImJaGyA) March 25, 2018

Steve Smith has been fined 100% of his match fee and handed a one Test ban, Cameron Bancroft a 75% fine and three demerit points for ball-tampering incident. IS THIS A JOKE?#sandpapergate #SAvAUS #Balltampering #SteveSmith #Bancroft

— Stephen Harvey (@HarvSJ) March 25, 2018

Quite disgraceful that #SteveSmith and Bancroft are getting away with a slap on the wrist for pre meditated cheating! #DoubleStandards #sandpapergate #SAvsAUS

— prashanta (@prashiepp) March 25, 2018

Banned for 1 test? Are you f***ing kidding me??? #BALLTAMPERING #SteveSmith

— Vishnu Varma (@VishKVarma) March 25, 2018

#SteveSmith #SandpaperGate is this a joke? You strategise to cheat, put a young player upto do the dirty work, blatantly break rules and violate the game and total penalty is a 'One test ban' ! Shame on you @ICC.. you can't run this game for nuts

— Anand Mohan Chitta (@WittysparkCAM) March 25, 2018

Instead of suspending #SteveSmith for one match and making him pay 100% match fees ICC should had made him watch Joker back to back for one day.

— Shout And Scream (@gajender00) March 25, 2018

This wasn't just ball tampering. It was premeditated cheating orchestrated by the team. What message are you sending out to youngsters with this pathetic punishment. #SteveSmith

— Asjad Nazir (@asjadnazir) March 25, 2018

One match ban for cheating. Absolute joke. Make an example of him and ban him for a long period #SteveSmith #australia #cricket

— James Wilson (@JWillo23) March 25, 2018

Let's put it this way. Had it been a Pakistani player or any Asian team player in a similar kind of situation, the punishment/ban would have been more severe. So, yes, racism is well alive. #SandpaperGate #BallTempering #SteveSmith

— Chitrang (@FreelyChained) March 25, 2018

Only one match ban on such a serious offense #SteveSmith ? You got to be joking….

— Ninad (@ninaddesai) March 25, 2018

When he admits they know it, @CricketAus as a team should be banned for sometime! @ICC is just running for money! Thank god in @Olympics they never include cricket. All kids in the international team ! #SteveSmith

— Narayanan Embar (@narayananembar) March 25, 2018

Looks like @ICC had a brain fade this time to have issued just one match ban for planned ball tampering by #SteveSmith. He’s lucky to be an Aussie. Only if he was an Asian, he would have made understand the gravity of his disgraceful act. Yes, being racist here, just like #ICC.

— Barun Singhania (@singhaniatweets) March 25, 2018

Wow amazing justice! Rabada gets 2 match ban for rude behaviour. Smith gets 1 match for getting his team to cheat #SteveSmith

— SHIVAM (@Imshivam183) March 25, 2018

One match suspension to Smith. Why was no player from leadership group got punished? Any thoughts?#SandpaperGate#SAvsAUS#SteveSmith

— Idontknoww (@Idontknoww26) March 25, 2018