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Opinion: Australian ball tampering cheats have scammed cricket fans everywhere and Steve Smith needs to face the consequences

Never in my 21 years of living have I felt compelled to put my thoughts down in writing - but yesterday, that all changed.

At five years old, I first picked up a cricket bat at Milo have-a-go cricket. From that day I struggled to put a bat or ball down.

I grew up in a household that loved the game just as much as I did. I played right up until university. I've had many late nights watching the game, and not just the Black Caps.

Until today, I'd argue you'd struggle to find a female more passionate about the sport than myself.

I remember sitting on the couch with Dad when I first made the Counties girls' rep team (Under 13's). I said, "Dad, I really want to watch the Chappell Hadlee series at the MCG and the Ashes at Lord's."

Steve Smith has been suspended one match after he admitted Cameron Bancroft cheated in the third Test against South Africaa.

There is no denying Australia has some of the world's best cricketing talent. They're the team the world loves to hate.

I now know I loved them more than I should. Dad took me to the MCG, but if Lord's wasn't so impressive in its own right, I'd be scratching that trip off the bucket list.

Yesterday morning I woke up with push notifications, tweets, comments and numerous articles flooding my phone.

Steve Smith, the Australian captain, admitting to allegations of ball tampering. The Aussies have cheated and Smith's reaction makes me think this isn't the first time - just the first time they've been caught.

As if the Aussies' distasteful sledging wasn't enough.

Not only will South Africa feel cheated, but I'm sure the majority of Australian cricket fans and passionate cricket supporters like myself do too.

You see, players don't just represent themselves, they're representing their countries and their fans from every corner of the globe.

Jack, Hayley, Matt and Daniel don’t hold back in the condemnation of captain Steve Smith.

Steve Smith can't pass the buck any longer. He can't get someone else to answer for him first (Cameron Bancroft).

He can't hide behind impressive batting statistics. He can't hide behind the four walls coming up with disgusting cheating methods.

Smith has made a mockery of the spirit of cricket and now he needs to face the consequences.

I just hope when Cricket Australia hold their emergency meetings, they take this into consideration and go in to bat for fans like myself.

Fans who feel like they've been scammed by one of the best cricket sides in the world.

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