A British religious broadcast has compared the downfall of Australian cricket captain Steve Smith to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, backing fears that the reaction to the ball-tampering scandal has now rocketed into the realms of hysteria.
BBC radio’s highly-respected ‘Thought for the Day’ slot, aired Thursday on the eve of Easter, likened Smith’s fate to that of Christ, describing both as “charismatic leaders” but overseeing “broken teams”.
“Three months ago Steve Smith was named Australian of the Year,” said the broadcaster, Reverend Sam Wells.
“The gospels portray Jesus as a teacher, a charismatic leader, who gathered around him a tight-knit team of disciples. At the height of his ministry you can imagine him being named Israelite of the Year.”
Kid you not, @BBCr4today’s Thought For the Day used the ball tampering scandal & Warner’s ostracisation to lead to a parable on the betrayal of Jesus. 🤷🏼♀️
— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) March 29, 2018
Wells added: “The Australian cricket team have been under almost unbearable scrutiny. Some reports suggest the team is falling apart, torn between loyalty, friendship, honour and truth.”
Smith made a tearful apology in Sydney on Thursday after he was banned for a year for accepting his role as part of the “leadership group” in the ball-tampering controversy during the third Test against South Africa last weekend.
Vice-captain David Warner was also handed a 12 months suspension while young batsman Cameron Bancroft, who rubbed sandpaper on the surface of the ball to aid bowlers, was banned for nine months.
“The vice-captain has been singled out by some as the chief culprit, and photographs suggest he’s been ostracised by the other players. If a team is like a body, this is like watching that body disintegrate,” added Wells.
“Two thousand years ago another body disintegrated...Judas betrayed Jesus to the authorities. (Perhaps today Judas would have sent out a press release, or a tweet.)”
The comparison of the Easter story to a scandal involving a handful of Australians and a red, leather cricket ball brought derision on social media.
Am ... am I jesus? pic.twitter.com/lEySDZWpGM
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) March 30, 2018
steve smith is jesus. darren lehmann is pontius pilate. cricket is original sin. the south african test series is the last supper. tampered cricket balls are the forbidden fruit. alan jones is some evil roman guy, probably.
— Nick Schadegg (@nickschadegg) March 30, 2018
Historical analogies are usually inaccurate, generally simplistic, and rarely helpful. But to seriously compare Steve Smith to Jesus Christ because he won't be able to play cricket for a year is a spectacular failure of rational thought. #HappyEaster https://t.co/trCTjPBMfm
— Benjamin T. Jones (@DrBenjaminJones) March 30, 2018
hi all let's lay off the Steve Smith Jesus comparisons today. One born without sin and died for ours. The other something something sandpaper NO COMPARISON OK NOT VERY DEEP JUST STUPID DONT DO IT
— Paul Karp (@Paul_Karp) March 29, 2018
Steve Smith wept
— TwoEyeHead (@TwoEyeHead) March 29, 2018
Easter Good Friday
Darren Lehrman #CricketAustralia #Cricket pic.twitter.com/9JCn5sW1ns
Jesus did bowl cracking inswingers pic.twitter.com/tCOYjXSkrm
— Edward Parlato (@Eddisatwit) March 29, 2018
On the eve of Good Friday Easter, Australian Cricket just crucified a good man. Watching Steve Smith’s remorseful statement brought a tear to my eye. He is right that he made a mistake & failed to show leadership. He needed to received a penalty. But this is way out of proportion https://t.co/Aj1g6tIBfA
— Mark Robinson MP (@MarkRobinsonMP) March 29, 2018
forget easter eggs and commercialism. let’s remember what good friday is really about... the crucifixion of our lord and saviour, steve smith
— Nick Schadegg (@nickschadegg) March 29, 2018
With inputs from AFP