Glenn Maxwell says Australian ball-tampering trio were 'treated like criminals'
Wednesday 11 April 2018 17:25, UK
Glenn Maxwell says it was "hard" for the Australia team to see Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft “treated like criminals” during the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
Australian captain Smith, along with vice-captain Warner and bowler Bancroft, were sent home from the tour for their part in the affair that has subsequently seen the trio handed bans and led to head coach Darren Lehmann standing down.
All-rounder Maxwell, who was one of three players rushed out to join the tour before the final Test in Johannesburg after the trio were sent home, said it had been particularly difficult for the younger members of the squad to witness what happened to their teammates.
In particular, Maxwell highlighted the emotional televised apologies from Smith and Bancroft on their return in Australia, and the angry scenes which saw Smith booed and called a cheat while being escorted through Johannesburg airport, as being stressful for the group to witness.
"I think the way they saw it, it was obviously beaten up a fair bit and they've seen a couple of their mates treated like criminals," he told Melbourne's Radio SEN.
"That is a hard thing for you to watch as a team-mate, and to see what they went through, especially Steve Smith at the airport, that was a hard thing for everyone to watch.
"To then try and get yourself ready for a game of cricket a day later was extremely difficult, and I certainly didn't envy their position at all. It was an extremely tough time for that whole playing group."
Maxwell admitted it was harder to slot into the team for the final Test than he had hoped, with morale in the camp understandably low.
"I had thoughts of what it could be like, and I hoped I could've provided something different for the group when I got over there, whether it be energy, or just a happy face around the group to try and cheer them up," he added.
"The enormity struck me at the end of the Test match when Boof [coach Darren Lehmann] had his goodbye speech and spoke about a few players in the group that he hoped could lead the group going forward.
"I think that's when it all hit me and how hard it was for this young group."
