'I Had the Opportunity to Stop it and I Didn't Do It' - Steven Smith

Published - 21 Dec 2018, 12:13 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:57 PM

Steven Smith addresses the media. Image Courtesy: Getty

Suspended Australia batsman, Steven Smith told reporters in Sydney that he had the opportunity to stop the plan for ball-tampering, but he didn’t do that, and it was his leadership failure. However, the incident took place in March while the Australian team was playing a Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Meanwhile, the former skipper confirmed he turned a blind eye to his companion David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. However, facing the media for the first time after an awful incident, Smith admitted in front of the press.

‘I had the chance to stop it…’ – Smith

“I walked past something and had the opportunity to stop it and I didn’t do it. That was my leadership failure. There was potential for something to happen, and it went on and happened out on the field. I had the opportunity to stop it at that point.” Steven Smith said as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.

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Steven Smith, Cricket Australia — Steven Smith speaks to media.

Moreover, Smith said the incident got documented heavily; and Smith reveals he had walked past something which he could have stopped and he didn’t. Taking responsibility for the misdeed, the former captain said he’s happy he has to admit it than to come out and say he didn’t know anything about it.

“It’s been documented pretty heavily what went on. In the room, I walked past something and had the opportunity to stop it, and I didn’t do it, and that was my leadership failure. It was a potential for something to happen. It went out and happened on the field. I had the opportunity to stop it rather than say I didn’t want to know anything about it. That was my failure of leadership for that, and I have taken responsibility for that.” Steven Smith said, who has not spoken about the specifics of the incident before.