'Not the Australian way': Aussie great slams Players' Pact

Cricket great Andrew Symonds is the latest to stick the boot into the Players’ Pact revealed by Australian captain Tim Paine in the wake of the ball-tampering fiasco.

The Test skipper unveiled the Australian players’ pact on Monday, and it’s since drawn criticism from several prominent figures within the sport.

The document was released alongside the damning review into Australian cricket chaired by former Test opener Rick McCosker.

The simple words will guide the team’s approach this summer as they attempt to win back fans following the ball-tampering scandal.

“We recognise how lucky we are to play this great game. We respect the game and its traditions. We want to make all Australians proud,” the pact declares.

“Compete with us. Smile with us. Fight on with us. Dream with us.”

However, former Aussie allrounder Symonds said the statement reeked of desperation on the part of his compatriots.

“That to me appears as though it’s a panic tactic,” Symonds said on Fox Sports’ Back Page.

“The boys have said ‘you’ve got to come up with something, you’ve got to be seen to be making an effort.’

“And it’s a bit corny, isn’t it? That’s not the Australian cricket way in my opinion.

“They could have come up with something a lot better than that, or as I said, they need to sit down and nut some of these things out.”

Symonds’ criticism followed a scathing assessment from former England captain Michael Vaughan.

“The Aussie cultural review is cringeworthy,” Vaughan tweeted.

“‘Smile with us, Dream with us’ – !!!!!! What a load of B ……. !!

“Just play good, hard, fair cricket & win a few games is all that’s required … !!”

In a damning response to the pact, Vaughan’s post was retweeted by ex-coach Darren Lehmann, who stepped down after the ill-fated tour of South Africa, and former selector Mark Waugh, who left his role in May.

Aussie great wants ball-tampering bans upheld

Amid growing calls for Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft to be immediately reinstated, one Australian Test great has gone the other way.

Mondays scathing review, commissioned after the ball-tampering furore, highlighted CA’s “arrogant” culture and noted “responsibility for that larger picture lies with CA and not just the players held directly responsible for the appalling incident at Newlands”.

In light of the findings, ACA boss Greg Dyer on Tuesday called for the banned trio to be given a reprieve, stating they had suffered enough.

However according to Simon Katich, that would send the wrong message.

Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft address the media after the scandal broke. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

“I think the players should see out their bans,” he told SEN Radio.

“They admitted what they did was wrong, and they blatantly cheated.

“I just don’t think shortening the bans is going to do anyone any good.

Simon Katich in 2010. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

“I think the public will be disappointed to think they could get away with what they did just because of what this (Ethics Centre culture) review has found.

“They have to be responsible for their actions, regardless of what is going on in the background with the administrators and the culture that’s been created.

“The players still have to put their hand up – which they have – and cop the bans on the chin and do their time.