(UTV|COLOMBO) – Australian cricketers’ behaviour has improved after attempts to clean up the game following the ball-tampering scandal, says Cricket Australia.
The men’s national team had no conduct citings during the 2018-19 season, the first clean slate in seven years, and charges at all levels dropped 74%.
Cricketers Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all banned for ball-tampering last season.
CA chairman Earl Eddings said the improvement shows “meaningful change”.
“Everyone in Australian cricket is well aware that it’s not just winning that counts, but how we play the game, and the players have certainly embraced that spirit,” he added.
“While there is always room for improvement, these are very good signs… and will have a positive and lasting impact on Australian cricket at all levels.”
Eddings said umpires had also reported they were being accorded more respect from players as the new, less abrasive culture beds in.
An independent review, commissioned by CA, found the body to be “arrogant and controlling” and partly to blame for the bans handed to the trio, who all played a role in using sandpaper to tamper with the ball against South Africa in March 2018.
In addition to their lengthy suspensions, the scandal also hastened the departures of coach Darren Lehmann and CA chief executive James Sutherland.
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