Steve Smith's reintegration into the hearts and minds of the Australian cricket public is in full swing with the former Test captain to speak publicly on Friday just days after a controversial advertisement featuring his ball tampering shame went to air.
Smith, whose 12-month suspension for his role in the Newlands fiasco expires in late March, will make his first media appearance in this country since his tearful apology in March when he fronts a press conference at the SCG.
Doing his time: Steve Smith is back in the public spotlight.Credit:AAP
His return to the public spotlight comes as the Australian season hits full swing with the start of the Big Bash League and with the much anticipated Boxing Day Test against India drawing closer.
It follows his appearance in a commercial for Vodafone's "Gutsy is calling" campaign, which received a mixed response on social media. The telco says Smith has become an ambassador for the company.
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The timing of the advertisement, which aired on Wednesday night, had raised eyebrows among certain quarters in the game while some agents were surprised Smith had chosen such a forum to open up about the struggles he has faced since the ball tampering scandal.
Those supportive of Smith believe he has raised important messages for mental health and was entitled to tell his message in the manner he chose.
It's understood Smith is donating his fee to TV and radio personality Gus Worland's Gotcha4Life charity, which aims to raise awareness of male mental health.
Industry sources believe Smith can command between $150,000 to $200,000 to be a company's ambassador.
It is understood Smith's part in Vodafone's campaign, which features three other cricketers, was not due to air until Sunday – after his media appearance. His press conference had been planned weeks in advance.
Smith is also to train on Friday with BBL franchise the Sydney Sixers, whom he captained to the title in the competition's inaugural season in 2011/12.
The star batsman will not be in Australia for the summer's two marquee Tests as he and wife Dani are spending Christmas and the New Year in New York.
National coach Justin Langer and Smith have begun steps to welcome the batsman back to the fold when his suspension ends.
Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft lost a raft of personal sponsorships for their involvement in the events in South Africa.
Commonwealth Bank and Sanitarium both severed ties with Smith, who, along with Warner, lost $2.4 million after being forced to sit out of the 2018 Indian Premier League. The pair also lost their lucrative CA contracts.
Vodafone teamed with Smith as both parties are aiming to rebuild their own image. The company was dubbed "Vodafail" several years ago by customers furious with the telco's inability to meet rising demands for mobile data used by smartphones.
The advertisement opens with flashbacks to Smith's emotional press conference at Sydney Airport days after the ball tampering controversy broke in South Africa.
It then cuts to re-enactments of the school visits the Smith made as part of the community service he was ordered to complete by Cricket Australia, and his time playing club cricket with Sutherland.
"I was in a pretty dark space," Smith says in the minute-long advertisement. "It made me realise what other people go through and what they need to get through those difficult times.
"It was just about being upfront and honest and taking responsibility. It's nice to be back at the club, I just love being in a contest. It's just you versus the bowler.
"I've certainly had some difficult days. But it's OK to be vulnerable. Everyone makes mistakes; it's about the way you respond to it that's really important. I want to come back better than I was."
Vodafone said they wanted their campaign to "feature Australian sports people telling their own personal journey with Australian cricket"
"As a supportive employer, lover of sport, and a business that has overcome challenges of its own in the past, the story of former Aussie cricket captain Steve Smith struck a chord," a Vodafone spokesperson said.
"We believe in a second chance and a fair go for all Australians."
Andrew Wu writes on cricket and AFL for The Sydney Morning Herald
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Steve Smith's reintegration into the hearts and minds of the Australian cricket public is in full swing with the former Test captain to speak publicly on Friday just days after a controversial advertisement featuring his ball tampering shame went to air.
Smith, whose 12-month suspension for his role in the Newlands fiasco expires in late March, will make his first media appearance in this country since his tearful apology in March when he fronts a press conference at the SCG.
Doing his time: Steve Smith is back in the public spotlight.Credit:AAP
His return to the public spotlight comes as the Australian season hits full swing with the start of the Big Bash League and with the much anticipated Boxing Day Test against India drawing closer.
It follows his appearance in a commercial for Vodafone's "Gutsy is calling" campaign, which received a mixed response on social media. The telco says Smith has become an ambassador for the company.
Advertisement
The timing of the advertisement, which aired on Wednesday night, had raised eyebrows among certain quarters in the game while some agents were surprised Smith had chosen such a forum to open up about the struggles he has faced since the ball tampering scandal.
Those supportive of Smith believe he has raised important messages for mental health and was entitled to tell his message in the manner he chose.
It's understood Smith is donating his fee to TV and radio personality Gus Worland's Gotcha4Life charity, which aims to raise awareness of male mental health.
Industry sources believe Smith can command between $150,000 to $200,000 to be a company's ambassador.
It is understood Smith's part in Vodafone's campaign, which features three other cricketers, was not due to air until Sunday – after his media appearance. His press conference had been planned weeks in advance.
Smith is also to train on Friday with BBL franchise the Sydney Sixers, whom he captained to the title in the competition's inaugural season in 2011/12.
The star batsman will not be in Australia for the summer's two marquee Tests as he and wife Dani are spending Christmas and the New Year in New York.
National coach Justin Langer and Smith have begun steps to welcome the batsman back to the fold when his suspension ends.
Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft lost a raft of personal sponsorships for their involvement in the events in South Africa.
Commonwealth Bank and Sanitarium both severed ties with Smith, who, along with Warner, lost $2.4 million after being forced to sit out of the 2018 Indian Premier League. The pair also lost their lucrative CA contracts.
Vodafone teamed with Smith as both parties are aiming to rebuild their own image. The company was dubbed "Vodafail" several years ago by customers furious with the telco's inability to meet rising demands for mobile data used by smartphones.
The advertisement opens with flashbacks to Smith's emotional press conference at Sydney Airport days after the ball tampering controversy broke in South Africa.
It then cuts to re-enactments of the school visits the Smith made as part of the community service he was ordered to complete by Cricket Australia, and his time playing club cricket with Sutherland.
"I was in a pretty dark space," Smith says in the minute-long advertisement. "It made me realise what other people go through and what they need to get through those difficult times.
"It was just about being upfront and honest and taking responsibility. It's nice to be back at the club, I just love being in a contest. It's just you versus the bowler.
"I've certainly had some difficult days. But it's OK to be vulnerable. Everyone makes mistakes; it's about the way you respond to it that's really important. I want to come back better than I was."
Vodafone said they wanted their campaign to "feature Australian sports people telling their own personal journey with Australian cricket"
"As a supportive employer, lover of sport, and a business that has overcome challenges of its own in the past, the story of former Aussie cricket captain Steve Smith struck a chord," a Vodafone spokesperson said.
"We believe in a second chance and a fair go for all Australians."
Andrew Wu writes on cricket and AFL for The Sydney Morning Herald
