As the current Australian captain apologised on Monday night for swearing towards an umpire during the third test, a former skipper added to an already tarnished reputation.
Tim Paine played down suggestions Australia were returning to their old ways on the field, yet that didn’t fit with the petty actions of Steve Smith, who was caught on camera displaying some crafty footwork.
In a dramatic fifth day of the drawn third test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Smith was seen scuffing up the crease while Indian batsman Rishabh Pant was at a drinks break.
Smith, fielding as the visitors denied the Australian attack, did some shadow batting while Pant was away from the crease and then used his feet to scuff away the marks the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman was using to take guard against the bowlers.
While not illegal, many viewers saw it as part of a poor display of sportsmanship from the under-pressure home team.
In 2018, Smith and team-mate David Warner were banned from cricket for a year for their role in the ball-tampering saga during a test in South Africa. Smith lost the test captaincy over the incident.
Current skipper Paine captain was fined 15 per cent of his match fee on Monday, losing about $3000 (NZ$3220), for urging “f…ing consistency” from the Decision Review System in an outburst towards umpire Paul Wilson that was picked up on the stump microphones.
On day five in Sydney, as Paine grew frustrated at dropping catches and India drew closer to denying Australia victory, he also clashed with Ravi Ashwin, who, with Hanuma Vihari, withstood 43 overs in a staunch unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership to secure India a stunning draw.
“I can’t wait to get you to the Gabba Ash I’ll tell you what, woo hoo,” Paine said.
“Just like we want to get you to India, that will be your last series,” Ashwin hit back.
“Maybe. Are you a selector here as well?” Paine replied.
“At least my team-mates like me, d—head. I’ve got a lot more Indian friends than you do. Even your team-mates think you’re a goose. Don’t they? Every one of them.”
