Steve Harmison says Smith will always be remembered as a 'cheat'

Smith has been England's tormentor-in-chief in Ashes 2019 series, which Australia have already retained after winning the fourth Test in Manchester on Sunday.

Steve Smith, Australia cricket team, Ashes 2019
Australia's Pat Cummins, no 30, celebrates with teammates after dismissing England's Jason Roy during day five of the fourth Ashes Test cricket match between England and Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester. Photo: AP | PTI
Press Trust of India London
2 min read Last Updated : Sep 09 2019 | 4:07 PM IST

Former England pacer Steve Harmison feels Australia's batting mainstay Steve Smith will always be remembered as a "cheat" for the infamous Cape Town ball-tampering scandal, irrespective of his incredible feats.

Smith has been England's tormentor-in-chief in Ashes 2019 series, which Australia have already retained after winning the fourth Test in Manchester on Sunday.

Smith is having a fairytale Ashes series, already accumulating 671 runs, including a double century at a staggering average of 134.20.

But that didn't stop Harmison from taking a dig at the former Australia skipper, who said Smith can never be forgiven for his ball-tampering act.

"I don't think you can forgive him," Harmison was quoted as saying by London-based sports radio station 'talkSPORT'.

"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," he added.

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Harmison, who represented England in 63 Tests including all five games during the 2005 epic Ashes series, said Smith and his partners-in-crime David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will have to live with "cheat" tag all their lives.

"I can't see anybody's opinion changing on Smith, Bancroft, or Warner. Because of what they've done, they've tarnished the game," he said.

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Topics :Steve SmithAshes 2019Australia cricket team

First Published: Sep 09 2019 | 12:35 PM IST

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