Fast cars, hotel rooms and women: Insiders reveal extent of ‘culture problem’ in Australian cricket

 An Insider has made a string of allegations condemning a perceived ‘culture problem’ that’s become synonymous with the Australian cricket team.

As the fallout from Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft’s ball tampering scandal rages on, the source insists the warning signs were clear to see.

The ‘well-placed source’ told New Idea: ‘The current Australian cricket team has a serious culture problem, which starts with staff and senior players. They believe they are all bigger than the game.’

 

‘They have lost their integrity and morals’: Insider reveals the extent of the ‘culture problem’ in Australian cricket and how it was destined to backfire

‘They live in a bubble of money, fast cars, hotel rooms and women. Everything is disposable to them…’ 

‘They have lost their integrity, morals and sight and what’s important outside of the game.’

The level of outrage appeared to catch the Australian team by surprise, their bubble burst by the avalanche of criticism dumped on them after Cameron was caught trying to change the condition of the ball during a test match last week.

Recently, both Steve and David saw their salaries for playing in the Indian Premier League double to AUD$2.4million (£1.3million) for less than two months’ work, making them the highest-paid Australians in the franchise’s history. 

Bigger than the game? ‘The current Australian cricket team has a serious culture problem, which starts with staff and senior players. They believe they are all bigger than the game,’ the insider said

 The multi-million dollar Twenty20 salaries came on top of their earnings from Cricket Australia – over $1.2million for Steve in 2017 and over $900,000 for David.

Then there are the lucrative advertising and sponsorship deals – Steve has a deal with New Balance and David works with Milo, Asics, Toyota and LG.

Neither player has avoided flaunting their wealth, with both batsman buying premium properties in Sydney and David developing a taste for fast cars.

Lost: The source continued: ‘They have lost their integrity, morals and sight and what’s important outside of the game’

David and Candice were spotted in the beachside Sydney suburb of Coogee in a $500,000 McLaren sports car on Valentine’s Day this year.

He is also the owner of a $450,000 Lamborghini Huracan, which he uses to drive his wife and children to the supermarket. 

 Coach Darren Lehman, who came under fire but was ultimately cleared of any involvement in the cheating plot, was criticised by the insider.

Not bad! Recently, both Steve and David saw their salaries for playing in the Indian Premier League double to AUD$2.4million (£1.3million) for less than two months’ work

‘Darren Lehman’s “family first” policy isn’t at all reflected by him or his team in the last six months. We have seen a senior player involved in a family-destroying relationship, continuous on and off field antics and now a cheating scandal.’

The insider also savaged Cricket Australia, who they allege intentionally downplay and twist scandals to make their staff and players look better than they are. 

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Cricket Australia for comment. 

The ‘family-destroying relationship’ was surely referring to spin bowler Nathan Lyon, who was pictured passionately kissing his new love Emma McCarthy in December. 

What a feeling! Then there are the lucrative advertising and sponsorship deals – Steve has a deal with New Balance and David works with Milo, Asics, Toyota and LG

Sponsor one, drive another: Neither player has avoided flaunting their wealth, with both batsman buying premium properties in Sydney and David developing a taste for fast cars

 Nathan and his wife Melissa Waring have two young kids, and her friends have said she’d been ‘completely blindsided’ by the news of the romance.

However, a source close to the bowler insisted he had done nothing wrong and that his relationship with Melissa had run its course some time ago. 

 Elsewhere, David and his wife Candice were described as going from ‘royalty’ amongst players and WAGS to ‘public enemy number one.’

Under fire: Outgoing coach Darren Lehman was also targeted by the insider: ‘Darren Lehman’s “family first” policy isn’t at all reflected by him or his team in the last six months’

After news broke of the ball tampering incident at the team’s third test against South Africa, David allegedly ‘outraged’ team mates further by ‘going rogue.’

He was pictured hanging out with his non-sports star mates, allegedly swigging champagne from the bottle.

Prior to the scandal, the former vice-captain was fined 75 per cent of his match fee and given three demerit points after lashing out at South African wicket keeper Quinton de Kock.

Scandal: ‘We have seen a senior player involved in a family-destroying relationship, continuous on and off field antics and now a cheating scandal,’ pictured Nathan Lyon and estranged wife Melissa Waring

David had to be separated from Quinton in the tunnel, after Quinton allegedly cracked a joke about his wife’s toilet tryst with Rugby star Sonny Bill Williams.

Steve was on hand to prevent the altercation potentially turning from verbal to physical, as it was later claimed David had replied: ‘I’ll hurt you!’ 

During a press conference last week, Darren had tears in his eyes as he announced he would step down as coach, taking full responsibility for the team’s culture.

Public enemy number one! Elsewhere, David and his wife Candice were described as going from ‘royalty’ amongst players and WAGS to ‘public enemy number one’

‘I’m ultimately responsible for the culture of the team and I’ve been thinking about my position for a while,’ he said. 

He spoke minutes after disgraced captain Steve broke down in tears during a sombre press conference, with his father by his side. 

‘After seeing events in the media today with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, the feeling is that Australian cricket needs to move forward and this is the right thing to do,’ explained Darren.

Fined! Prior to the scandal, the former vice-captain was fined 75 per cent of his match fee and given three demerit points after lashing out at South African wicket keeper Quinton de Kock, who allegedly mocked him over his wife’s infamous toilet tryst with Sonny Bill Williams

‘I hope the team rebuilds from this, and the Australian public find it in their hearts to forgive these young men.’

Steve, alleged ringleader David  and Cameron – who all confessed to masterminding the tampering scheme – were sent home from South Africa in disgrace last week.

 All three received lengthy bans for cheating during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. 

Blame Darren? During a press conference last week, Darren had tears in his eyes as he announced he would step down as coach, taking full responsibility for the team’s culture

‘Ultimately responsible’; ‘I’m ultimately responsible for the culture of the team and I’ve been thinking about my position for a while,’ Darren said

 Last Saturday, on the third day of the test, Australian player Cameron was caught by stadium cameras, stuffing what appeared to be yellow tape down his pants.

Former vice-captain David has been charged with devising the plot, which saw Cameron roughing the ball with what was later confirmed to be sandpaper. 

The intention was to change the integrity of the ball to promote inconsistency with the way it bounced and moved, to make it harder for batsmen to hit it.

Umpires declined to request a new ball after discovering the cheating plot, later indicating the scheme had failed to meaningfully alter the ball’s condition.

Who to blame? Former vice-captain David has been charged with devising the ball tampering plot, which saw Cameron Bancroft (L) roughing the ball with sandpaper

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