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Some have failed our culture, making serious error of judgment: Steve Waugh

WION Web Team
New Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Mar 27, 2018, 05:55 PM IST
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File photo of Steve Waugh. Photograph:(Twitter)

Steve Waugh, former Australian skipper has written a letter to Steve Smith & Co. in the wake of the recent ball-tampering scandal.

Waugh admits that the "some" players in the current Australian line-up does not believe in playing combative, skillful and fair cricket.

Recently, Steve Smith had admitted to altering the condition of the ball in the third Test match of a three-match series against in Cape Town.

In the third match, Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught in the camera when he took out a yellow-colored substance from his pocket and applied on the ball to increase the roughness of one side of the ball. 

Waugh took to social networking site to share his thoughts on the issue and to acknowledge the messages he has been receiving since then from "heartbroken cricket followers worldwide."

In his statement, he said, "The Australian Cricket team has always believed it could win in any situation against any opposition, by playing combative, skilful and fair cricket, driven by our pride in the fabled Baggy Green."

"I have no doubt the current Australian team continues to believe in this mantra, however some have now failed our culture, making a serious error of judgement in the Cape Town Test Match," he further added.

52-year-old is "deeply troubled" as the ball-tampering saga has demolished the spirit of Australian cricket.

In his agonizing statement, he said, "Like many I’m deeply troubled by the events in Cape Town this last week."

He also mentioned, "In 2003, we modified the Spirit of Cricket document originally created by the M.C.C., to empower our players to set their own standards and commit to play the Australian way."

Steve Waugh emphasised on revising the documents, "We must urgently revisit this document, re-bind our players to it and ensure the Spirit in which we play is safe-guarded for the future of the sport, and to continue to inspire the dreams of every young kid picking up a bat and ball and for every fan who lives and breathes the game."

He said, "A focused and balanced perspective is needed in the condemnation on those involved in this, with a clear and critical consideration to the social impact and mental health of all players."

"I will support all positive action to ensure an outcome for the betterment of the game, regaining the trust and faith of every fan of cricket," he summarised his statement.

Waugh has played 168 Tests for and scored 10927 runs at an average of 51.06.