'Steve is an outstanding cricketer and person, and role model to many aspiring cricketers and we have every faith that there was no ill-intent in his actions.'
Firmly backing Steve Smith, Cricket Australia said questioning his integrity is 'outrageous' and there was no 'ill-intent' in the captain's move of seeking help from the dressing room when deciding whether to review a decision during the second Test against India.
In a statement issued in Melbourne on Wednesday, Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said the Board firmly stands behind Smith and the rest of the Australian cricket team.
"I find the allegations questioning the integrity of Steve Smith, the Australian Team and the dressing room, outrageous," Sutherland said in the statement.
"Steve is an outstanding cricketer and person, and role model to many aspiring cricketers and we have every faith that there was no ill-intent in his actions.
"We reject any commentary that suggests our integrity was brought into disrepute or that systemic unfair tactics are used, and stand by Steve and the Australian Cricketers who are proudly representing our country," he added.
After he was given out leg before wicket during the second innings of the second Test, Smith looked toward the players' area in the stands when deciding whether to review the verdict using the Decision Review System after he was given out leg before wicket to Umesh Yadav.
Players are not allowed to seek direction apart from conferring with the non-striker.
Sparks flew between him and Indian skipper Virat Kohli when umpires noticed Smith's actions and intervened to stop him.
Smith later tried to douse the fire by saying that it was a "brain fade" on his part and he shouldn't have done it.
But Kohli would have none of it in the post-match press conference and just about stopped short of labelling the Australian's actions as cheating.
"I can only say, if it happens more than twice, it's not brain fade," Kohli had said.
Smith was later criticised by former Indian captains such as Sunil Gavaskar and Sourav Ganguly who urged the International Cricket Council to look into the matter.
Peter Handscomb, who was at the non-striker's end during the incident, tweeted after the 75-run defeat that he was to blame.
"I referred smudga (Smith) to look at the box... my fault and was unaware of the rule. Shouldn't take anything away from what was an amazing game!" he wrote.
Michael Clarke, Smith's predecessor as captain, said he had concerns about the actions of his former team mate.
"I want to find out from the Australian team if they're using the DRS in that way, if they are then that is unacceptable," Clarke told TV station India Today.
"The fact that Peter Handscomb is even thinking about telling the Australian captain to turn around and look to the support staff, I've got my concerns."
