Smith haunted by ball-tampering fallout, says he was thrown to wolves

Steve Smith has opened up about the lingering psychological impact of cricket's ball-tampering scandal that upended his career five years ago, claiming he was unfairly scapegoated in the aftermath of the incident.

The former Australia captain told media on Monday that he still experiences flashbacks to the tumultuous period following the scandal, particularly when hearing the sound of camera shutters. He cited his exit from South Africa and arrival back in Australia as moments that remain etched in his memory.

Smith's remarks shed light on the personal toll the 2018 controversy exacted on the batsman, who was stripped of the captaincy and served a 12-month ban from international cricket. The incident, which involved tampering with the ball during a Test match in Cape Town, became one of cricket's most significant scandals in recent years.

The 33-year-old's candid disclosure suggests that despite his successful return to the sport and subsequent rehabilitation of his public image, the emotional scars from that period remain fresh. His comments are likely to reignite discussion about the severity of the punishments imposed and the broader treatment of the players involved in the controversy.