There is a clear distinction between match-fixing, spot-fixing, betting and ball tampering. Or take it this way — If match-fixing, spot-fixing are like crimes that invite capital punishment, then ball tampering can be likened to a theft or petty pick-pocketing. The IPL 2013 spot-fixing scandal can inarguably be termed as the most shocking and disturbing incident, which shook the roots of cricket administration in India recently. Time has certainly come to call spade a spade if cricket has to progress around the globe. If Smith and Warner are punished and deprived of their big earnings for the next one year, then there can’t be double standards.

Source: dna March 29, 2018 01:30 UTC