Gold Coast 2018 chairman claims Commonwealth Games will help restore Australian sporting reputation amid cricket scandal

Photo shows Australian cricket captain Steve Smith on the front pages of the major newspapers in Sydney on March 26, 2018. Australia's cricketers have heaped disgrace and humiliation on the country, the local press said in blasting the "rotten" team culture under the current leadership following captain Steve Smith admitting he cheated by hatching a plot to tamper with the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town on March 24, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Peter PARKS
Photo shows Australian cricket captain Steve Smith on the front pages of the major newspapers in Sydney on March 26, 2018

 

Doubts have since been cast on the identity of those in the “leadership group” referred to by Smith after members of the team who have been dragged into the scandal turned on Warner, who Fairfax Media have reported was the chief architect behind the ball-tampering plot.

The incident has prompted criticism from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, as well as a host of former cricketers, while the Australian Sports Commission called for all implicated players and staff to stand down.

It has also dominated the news agenda with just over a week to go until the Commonwealth Games open here on April 4.

Beattie, also chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission, claimed the Games can repair the damage done by the Australian team.

“The bottom line is that Australian cricket has damaged Australia’s sporting reputation and now the Commonwealth Games will restore that faith,” he said, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“We are determined to be a cheat-free zone.

“At the end of the day, these sporting heroes get paid a lot of money and behaviour on and off the field is really important.

“It is about setting a standard and setting an example, it’s about inspiring another generation, not the selfish cricketers.

“It is about the future.

“That’s what has disappointed most Australians; however the Commonwealth Games will help restore our reputation.”

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