You accept every advantage that comes your way when playing Ashes Test cricket and that goes for both sides as no quarter is given or expected.
Having said that, I am disappointed that Smith won’t be available, he is, without doubt a master craftsman with the “willow†and it is a joy watching him plying his trade so effortlessly and expertly.
I have spent so much time feeling an irrational dislike for the opponents players, in any sport, that had genuine quality and, as a consequence, I have missed, overlooked and didn’t appreciate their quality and some outstanding performance that I now realise I will never get the opportunity to see and fully appreciate again. So, these days, I just applaud and cheer to myself when I see that quality in front of me.
Athletes careers are relatively short and as the saying goes 'You Don't Know What You Have Until It's Gone' and I have had so many moments like that that I want to see the best perform at their best even if it is to the detriment of my team or country.
I also think that Smith, his teammates Warner and Bancroft were harshly treated with the length of the bans they received for ball tampering, a dark art that has been practised in the game for many, many years and by very high ranking senior players of all nationalities. They were unfortunate in that they were found guilty and were made examples of to act as a deterrent, I hope it does, but I very much doubt it. That’s my view.