South Africa paceman Dale Steyn believes the Australian ball-tampering scandal could be viewed as a “cry for help” because the balance between bat and ball has fallen so heavily in favour of batsmen.
Steyn, who did not play in the Cape Town Test which led to Australians Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned, said the incident exposed the need to ensure the art of reverse-swing bowling is protected.
Bancroft was caught on camera apparently using sandpaper to alter the state of the ball but Steyn said: “It’s obviously not on, but if you think about it, it’s almost like a cry for help. We need to do something.
“There’s so much in favour of batsmen (in short-form cricket). Fields are small, two new balls, powerplays, bats have got bigger, the list can go on.
“You bowl a no ball and it’s a free hit. But I have never seen a rule change that favours the bowler.”
Steyn, who has 421 Test wickets, said the desperation to get the ball to swing was forcing cricketers to flirt with regulations.
“It’s a big plea and it would be a sad day to see (reverse swing) disappear,” he said. “What [happens to] fast bowlers have if they don’t have anybody to inspire them?”
