New coach Justin Langer says Steve Smith wasn’t a strong enough leader to handle the situation during the Cape Town ball tempering incident. Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all suspended for their roles in the incident when sandpaper was used to rough up the ball during the third Test in South Africa in March.
“Once upon a time, the opposition didn’t like us because we played really good, hard cricket — we were very skilful and we won a lot of games” he said.
“I think Steve Smith maybe just wasn’t strong enough in his leadership,” he said.
“But he loves the game of cricket — he practises harder than anyone I’ve ever met – and he is a very, very nice young lad. There’s no doubt about that.”
Langer took charge of his first game on Wednesday, with Australia losing the opening match of their one-day series in England by three wickets at The Oval.
