Ashes 2019 | Steve Smith is a cheat, and he will take that tag with him to the grave, says Steve Harmison

09/09/2019

Former England pacer Steve Harmison feels that irrespective of his incredible feats, Australia's Steve Smith will be remembered as a 'cheat' till his death for the infamous Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. Smith has scored 671 runs in five innings so far in the series at an average of 134.2.

When someone comes back from a year-long ban from cricket for a disgraceful act and then goes onto have the fairytale-like series, it will obviously irritate at least some spectators. When that man is Smith – the chief tormentor of your own team stealing the show in your own backyard – it will sting even worse. And so Harmison’s comments, despite their bitter nature, is understandable to some level at least.

"When you're known as a cheat - and he is, I'm not going to sugar-coat it, the three guys cheated - that's on your CV. You're marked and you take it to your grave. Whatever Steve Smith does, he'll always be remembered for what happened in South Africa," Harmison was quoted as saying by London-based sports radio station 'talkSPORT'.

"I don't think you can forgive him. I can't see anybody's opinion changing on Smith, Bancroft, or Warner. Because of what they've done, they've tarnished the game," Harmison added.

Harmison, who represented England in 63 Tests including all five games during the 2005 epic Ashes series, is now plying his trade in coaching.