Here’s Steve Smith, the world’s best batsman – well No.2 now he’s no longer able to defend his crown, after being banned for 12 months for his role in sandpaper-gate – smiling for selfies and signing autographs. 

It was only a Twenty20 trial match between the newly-formed Greater Illawarra Zone and Smith’s Sydney club team Sutherland at North Dalton Park, the former Australian captain’s selection hastily announced just 48 hours beforehand.

And yet they came on a school night, more than a thousand of them, to watch Smith score 60, win the match and endear himself to the region’s cricket fans all over again.

Since then the findings from reviews into the extraordinary Australian meltdown in South Africa involving Smith, Warner and Cameron Bancroft have been announced. 

Then coach Darren Lehmann also went, but it wasn’t until the explosive revelations about cricket’s culture that the raging fire was turned on administrators. 

After much resistance, chairman David Peever succumbed to the pressure and stood down on Thursday. 

Only time will tell if the turmoil produces meaningful change.

Should the international bans of Smith, Warner and Bancroft be reduced, given the blame was pushed well beyond their initial actions?

The 12-month ban might be too harsh, but it would reflect Cricket Australia’s willingness for a quick fix if they reduce it now.

Yet, it was clear by the way Smith carried himself at Dalton Park he understands his standing in the game.

It would have been easy for Sutherland, or Cricket NSW officials to be on hand to shield Smith from the punters and make a quick getaway. And while he chose not to speak to the media, Sutherland teammate and ex-Test all-rounder Shane Watson was generous with his time. A contrast to Warner’s combativeness, Smith’s appearance already stands as the highlight of the Illawarra cricket season.

The region has missed out on a Sheffield Shield match and the Thunder have barely had a presence, since a warm relationship with the Sixers was ended, under recent territorial boundary changes.

Smith’s moment of redemption will come – and so too could Cricket Illawarra’s under the new structure, after years of representative failure at Kingsgrove Cup and Country Championships levels. 

A fresh start with fresh troops from the South Coast, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands.

Amazing things can happen when you truly witness decisions made and actions taken in the interests of the game, not self-interest.