Ball-tampering issue is hard to get out of players' minds, says David Saker

Ball-tampering issue is hard to get out of players' minds, says David Saker

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Australia bowling coach David Saker feels that the ball-tampering saga is playing on the minds of the Australian players. He also felt that looking at Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft and David Warner emotional at the press conference is upsetting and the players are trying hard to free their minds.

The ball-tampering scandal has left the Australian team rattled as that led to their skipper Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned by Cricket Australia. And it meant that the three batsmen of the top 4 had to be replaced. However, when the fourth Test started, the team started to cope with the pressure and they collectively managed only 12 runs. But it is clearly evident that the Australian players are mentally looking a bit lost and Saker revealed that it was hard for the players to free their minds as the scandal has been playing on the players’ mind. 

“We are not thinking too much about home, but we are thinking about the people that are part of our team that we have lost and that is hurting a lot of people in the dressing-room. That is something that is hard to get out of their minds. No excuses, but it is obviously playing a factor in the way we are playing so far in this game,” Saker said, as reported by TOI. 

Australia have been behind the eight-ball right from the start of the Test match as the bowlers allowed South Africa score 488 despite having them at 299/6. Then with the bat they imploded and were all-out for 221, conceding a 267-run lead. 

“We have tried to really care for each other this week. We are trying to put in a performance that the Australian nation and our group are proud of. So far that hasn't happened, but the effort has been there and there is no doubt in the dressing-room the guys are trying their hardest. It just hasn't worked this game so far. The opposition bowled particularly well and we didn't deal with that. That's been the story of the series so far. They've outplayed us for sure,” Saker added. 

Australia face an uphill task for making a match out of this. They will most likely face a huge 4th innings target and are on the verge of losing their first Test series in South Africa since the latter’s readmission. 

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