SYDNEY: A cheating scandal that has ripped through the core of Australia’smost venerated pastime, cricket, prompted church leaders to provideguidance over the Easter weekend on how to emerge from the moral tailspin.
Addressing Sunday’s congregation at Sydney’s St. Andrew’s Cathedral,Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies said the redemption of Easter gives hopeof forgiveness to all who face moral failure – even disgraced sportsmen.
Australian cricket was shaken to the core when three national players werediscovered to have conspired to scuff the ball with sandpaper during thethird test match against South Africa last month.
Roughing up one side of a ball can help it to swing through the air, makingit more difficult for the opposing batsman to play.
An investigation led to the sacking of captain Steve Smith and vice-captainDavid Warner who were both banned from playing for 12 months. BatsmanCameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months.
“When we all look at our own selves, we recognise we’ve all been there,we’ve had our own failures,” Davies said. “Perhaps not quite as public asSteve Smith’s and the other two, but failures nonetheless. If it’s hardenough to confront and stand up to a press gallery and admit you’re wrong,what would it be like to stand before the living God and admit that youwere wrong?”
The inclusion of the ball-tampering in Easter sermons underscores how deepthe scandal has run in a sports-loving country that prides itself on fairplay. Past cricket giants such as master batsman Sir Donald Bradman arerevered for their conduct as much as for their victories. – Agencies