7 instances when Australia brought disrepute to the game of cricket 

#7 Steve Smith’s ‘brainfade’? (2017)

Steve Smith's "brain fade" during the second Test in Bengaluru did not impress Virat Kohli or the umpires

Steve Smith will now be considered as Australia’s former captain. It is a stunning reversal of fortunes for a man who was not long ago, tipped to surpass Sir Don Bradman’s several records in Test cricket. Skill wise, few could question his ability due to his impeccable form since 2014. However, his behavior as Australia’s captain has made many question his sportsmanship.

One of the major incidents before the ball-tampering one, was in India last year during a 4-match Test series. In the second innings of the second Test in Bengaluru, Australia were in the process of chasing 180 to win. The kingpin of Australia’s batting line-up, Smith was adjudged lbw of pacer Umesh Yadav’s bowling on 28. However, the Aussie appeared to be seeking advice from the dressing room to use the DRS on his batting partner, Peter Handscomb’s quick insistence.

This enraged Indian skipper Virat Kohli who was quick to alert the same to the umpires, who then denied Smith any liberty to do so. It was against the rules of the game. Even as India won, Kohli implied that his opposite number was a ‘cheat’ and that the Aussies tried to manipulate the game in their favor in ways like these more than once. Smith was quick to deny the allegation and called the moment a ‘brainfade’, apologizing for the same at the end of the series. No action was taken against either of them by the ICC eventually, though it snowballed once again into an issue between the BCCI and Cricket Australia.

Adding to that, the Australian team's behavior was so appalling according to Kohli that the Indian captain publicly stated that he couldn't remain friends with many of the players after the series. Something unheard of before for sure.