Cricket Australia has issued suspensions to captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft following its investigation into the ball-tampering scandal.
Smith and Warner have received a 12-month ban while Bancroft is suspended for nine months after it was revealed that sandpaper was used on the ball during the third Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.
The three players have been suspended from “all international and domestic cricket”, but Australia’s governing body for the sport said they will be permitted to play club games and “will be encouraged to do so to maintain links with the cricket community”. In addition to their suspensions, Smith, Warner and Bancroft will have to undertake 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket.
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In a statement Cricket Australia chairman David Peever said: “The CA Board understands and shares the anger of fans and the broader Australian community about these events.
“They go to the integrity and reputation of Australian cricket and Australian sport and the penalties must reflect that. These are significant penalties for professional players and the board does not impose them lightly. It is hoped that following a period of suspension, the players will be able to return to playing the game they love and eventually rebuild their careers.”
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland added: “The sanctions we have announced are significant for the individuals involved. That is why the process has had to be thorough to ensure that all relevant issues have been examined.
“I am satisfied that the sanctions in this case properly reflect a balance between the need to protect the integrity and reputation of the game and the need to maintain the possibility of redemption for the individuals involved, all of whom have learned difficult lessons through these events.”
Sutherland also announced that Cricket Australia will provide more details in due course of an independent review into the “conduct and culture of our Australian men’s team”.
How the Australian media reacted to the suspensions
On its website The Australian’s lead story was on the bans of Smith, Warner and Bancroft. This was just one of eight articles about the ball-tampering affair at the top of its online homepage.
Looking at the case of Australia’s shamed skipper, the newspaper says that “Smith could unravel in exile”. Journalist Robert Craddock writes: “For two days, Cricket Australia officials were furious at Steve Smith. Now they are worried about him.”
The Australian also reports that the “banned players are ready to fight”. Peter Lalor writes: “Banned players have been plotting a response that will test claims the ball tampering crisis was limited to three players.”
The Sydney Morning Herald says the “enormity” of the ball-tampering scandal was emphasised with the suspensions of the “cheating trio”.
Chris Barrett writes that Cricket Australia’s decision completes a “stunning fall from grace” for Smith. Barrett says: “From golden boy to one of the masterminds of one of Australian cricket’s lowest ever moments - and all in the space of four days.”
The Herald also reports that former players have demanded Cricket Australia come clean on the “full story” with some “expressing incredulity that knowledge of the team’s under-handed tactics could have been restricted to three players”.
At The Age newspaper in Melbourne, the “twists and turns” keep on coming in the aftermath of the ball-tampering saga. In its editorial headlined “Sandpaper, lies and videotape”, The Age writes: “The twists and turns have just kept coming in Australia’s ball-tampering disgrace in South Africa with Cricket Australia admitting it was sandpaper and not tape that was used and that David Warner had been the architect, even instructing Cameron Bancroft how to cheat.”
Could Smith or Warner captain Australia again?
In its statement, Cricket Australia said that Smith and Bancroft will not be considered for team leadership positions “until a minimum of 12 months after the conclusion of their respective suspensions” from international and domestic cricket. “Any consideration of future leadership would be conditional on acceptance by fans and the public, form and authority among the playing group,” said Cricket Australia.
Warner, however, will never captain Australia again. “David Warner will not be considered for team leadership positions in the future,” the Cricket Australia statement revealed.
IPL also ban Smith and Warner
The BBC reports that Smith and Warner have also been barred from playing in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL). Smith had already stepped down as captain of the Rajasthan Royals and Warner said today he would not skipper the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said: “The players that they [Cricket Australia] have banned, we are also barring those two players from this season. The franchises will get replacements for the players.”
Lehmann cleared by Cricket Australia
This morning Cricket Australia cleared Darren Lehmann of any involvement and said the head coach did not have “any prior knowledge of the plan to ball-tamper”. The incident was confined to three players: Smith, Warner and Bancroft.
Meanwhile, with no Smith or Warner in the Australia ranks, wicketkeeper Tim Paine has been named as captain for the final Test against South Africa. The fourth Test starts on Friday at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. South Africa lead the series 2-1 after winning by 322 runs in Cape Town.
