No matter if Steve Smith is the highest run getter of the Ashes 2019 till now, he will still always be a ‘cheat’ in the eyes of former England pacer Steve Harmison.
The former Australian captain was handed a year-long-ban along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their involvement in the ball tempering scandal at Cape Town last year. Making his comeback after a year, Smith has scored 671 runs in just five innings, averaging 134.2 that include two back to back centuries in both innings of the first Test and a double century in the fourth Test.
He has been leading Australia’s batting attack even after returning from concussion that he suffered in the second Test on a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s.
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“I don’t think you can forgive him. When you are known as a cheat – and he is, I am not going to sugar coat it, the three guys cheated – that’s on your CV,” Harmison was quoted saying by talkSPORT.
“You are marked, and you take it to your grave. Whatever Steve Smith does, he will always be remembered for what happened in South Africa. I can’t see anybody’s opinion changing on Smith, Bancroft or Warner. Because of what they have done, they have tarnished the game,” added Harmison who was part of the England team that won the epic 2005 Ashes.
Fans didn’t take Harmison’s comments on Smith lightly and retaliation posts started flooding all over the internet.
Steve Harmison, the only difference between you and Steve Smith, is you blokes used lollies to cheat. Oh by the way, second slip says hi 👋 #TheAshes #ENGvAUS
— Stephen Crowe (@crowey_crowe) September 9, 2019
So Steve Harmison reckons Smith will always be remembered as a cheat. He'll be remembered as the greatest batsman of the 21st century, and no-one except for die-hard English fans will recall who Harmison is... #Ashes2019
— Hutch (@SharkCrabMang) September 9, 2019
Steve Harmison on the other hand will always be remembered as the bloke who bowled to second slip
— Michael Gleeson (@mickgleeson) September 9, 2019
My favourite Steve Harmison moment #Steveharmison @SteveHarmison10
— Simon “Chompers” Collins (@Tingas75) September 9, 2019
pic.twitter.com/rI9fZAQpnN
Dear Steve Harmison.. Only significant win of your career was Ashes 2005. And many of your teammates, including Trescothick, have admitted all of u tampered with the ball. That was CHEATING. So cut your sanctimonious humbug & leave Steve Smith alone. Learn to applaud champions...
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) September 9, 2019
Steve Harmison wins the 🤡 award for his comments re Steve Smith:
— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) September 8, 2019
“I don’t think you can forgive him. When you’re known as a cheat — and he is, I’m not going to SUGAR-COAT it.”
His team in 2005 won an Ashes series by SUGAR-COATING the ball ... short memory 🙄
🏏 #Ashes2019
Steve Harmison: "I don’t think you can forgive (Smith). When you’re known as a cheat, and he is, I’m not going to sugar-coat it."
— Adam Zwar (@adamzwar) September 8, 2019
Mate, in 2005 you put peppermints in your gob & rubbed sugarcoated saliva on the ball. How 'bout you sugarcoat your comments & not the ball? #Ashes
Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ William West, Oli Scarff
