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No matter if Steve Smith is the highest run getter of the Ashes 2019 till now, he will still always be a ‘cheat’ in the eyes of former England pacer Steve Harmison.

The former Australian captain was handed a year-long-ban along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their involvement in the ball tempering scandal at Cape Town last year. Making his comeback after a year, Smith has scored 671 runs in just five innings, averaging 134.2 that include two back to back centuries in both innings of the first Test and a double century in the fourth Test.

He has been leading Australia’s batting attack even after returning from concussion that he suffered in the second Test on a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s.

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“I don’t think you can forgive him. When you are known as a cheat – and he is, I am not going to sugar coat it, the three guys cheated – that’s on your CV,” Harmison was quoted saying by talkSPORT.

“You are marked, and you take it to your grave. Whatever Steve Smith does, he will always be remembered for what happened in South Africa. I can’t see anybody’s opinion changing on Smith, Bancroft or Warner. Because of what they have done, they have tarnished the game,” added Harmison who was part of the England team that won the epic 2005 Ashes.

Fans didn’t take Harmison’s comments on Smith lightly and retaliation posts started flooding all over the internet.

Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ William West, Oli Scarff

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