Former Australia coach, Darren Lehmann says he still worries about the banned trio of Steven Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. Lehmann hopes they return to international cricket after serving their respective bans.
Moreover, Lehmann resigned from his post of the head coach after the infamous ball tampering controversy during the tour of South Africa in March.
“They are all good young men, I feel for the three players especially, they’re fantastic and I worry about them day-in, day-out,” Lehmann was quoted as saying by Radio FIVEaa in an interview on 6th May, Friday.
“I hope they come back and play for Australia because they’re fantastic young men and they’ve paid the price.
“For me, Australian cricket is the most important thing, and hopefully everyone can get back and play the right type of cricket that makes everyone respect and enjoy the Australian cricket team again,” Lehmann added.
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The story about the tainted trio
Skipper Steven Smith was subsequently suspended for a match while Bancroft was handed a heavy fine. However, in the days which followed it was learnt David Warner was the actual mastermind in hatching the plan.
It was during the lunch interval on the fourth day of the Cape Town Test when they hatched a plan of applying sandpaper to the ball to bring reverse swing in to play.
Following their confessions, Warner and Smith were handed a one-year ban, while Bancroft received a nine-month ban.
“It’s been a tough six weeks for myself, but I put myself in David Warner’s shoes, Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith… they’ve been to hell and back, haven’t they? Hopefully, everyone forgives them. I’m sure they will. They’re bloody good human beings, and I love them dearly. I speak to them quite a lot. It’s a case of keeping in contact because I worry about them. They’re going okay,” Lehmann said.
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