Cricket Australia bans Smith, Warner for 12 months in tampering scandal: report

SYDNEY: Australia skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner have been banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia for their roles in the pre-meditated plan to tamper with the ball on the third day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa, cricket website Cricinfo reported on Wednesday.

“I understand that the sanctions on Smith and Warner are a ban for 12 months,” said cricket commentator Jim Maxwell.

Cameron Bancroft, the player caught on camera attempting to doctor the ball with a piece of tape, has been banned for nine months, said the website, adding that an official announcement of their penalties is expected to be announced soon.

Cricket Australia had announced an independent review into “the conduct and culture” of the team, which the ACA said should examine the behaviour of administrators.

“Australia’s core values of respect, integrity and fairness must be brought to bear on the game of cricket through such a process,” it had said.

Warner lost the captaincy of his Indian Premier League side Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday after the cheating scandal left the team fractured amid mounting suspicion that the full story has not yet emerged.

Smith, Warner and Bancroft have been banished for their role in a ball-tampering incident which has dragged Australian cricket’s reputation through the mud; coach Darren Lehmann, however, is to remain in charge.

Smith had already been replaced as skipper of Rajasthan Royals team in the cash-rich Twenty20 competition due to start next month as the controversy rages on.

“In light of recent events, David Warner has stepped down as captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad,” Sunrisers chief executive K. Shanmugam said on the team’s official Twitter page.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine will take over the captaincy of Australia for the fourth and final Test starting in Johannesburg Friday, with hosts South Africa leading a bad-tempered series 2-1 as Matt Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns fly to South Africa to replace the exiled trio.

Lehmann was not punished but further sanctions on the three players are to be announced said Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland.

Lehmann had no ‘prior knowledge’

Smith had already been suspended for one Test and docked his entire match fee by the International Cricket Council, and Sutherland said further punishments “will reflect the gravity of the situation”.

Bancroft used a strip of yellow sticky tape to pick up dirt and illegally roughen one side of the ball to generate more swing for Australia’s bowlers. He was filmed with the tape and trying to hide it down the front of his trousers.

Smith said after the Test that the Australia team’s “leadership group” had been aware of the plan.

However, Sutherland insisted Lehmann was not involved.

“Prior knowledge of the ball tampering incident was limited to three players… No other players or support staff had prior knowledge and this includes Darren Lehmann, who despite inaccurate media reports, has not resigned from his position,” said Sutherland.

Divisive Warner under fire

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke, the man Smith succeeded in 2015, believes there is more to the story that meets the eye.

“Too many reputations on the line for the full story not to come out. Cape Town change room is a very small place!” he tweeted.

Warner, a divisive figure in the world game, has become the focus of Australian media, who blame him for the scandal.

The Australian newspaper said there had been a “fierce feud” in the dressing room sparked by Warner’s alleged testimony to Cricket Australia’s integrity officers, with pace spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood reportedly livid at being implicated.

It said they felt he was willing to blame them to take the heat off himself, with emotions so raw that Warner may never be welcomed back.

Sponsors have voiced “deep concern” over reputational damage with electronics giant LG dropping Warner as brand ambassador on Wednesday, amid fears other could follow suit.

“LG’s current sponsorship of David Warner is in the final weeks, and in light of recent events we have decided not to renew our partnership,” said an LG Australia statement.

Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Alistair Nicholson said serious mistakes had been made by Smith and his co-accused, and they understood this.

“The players are remorseful for the mistakes they have made. And they regret how their actions have represented themselves, teammates, cricket and their country,” he said.

Smith is reportedly distraught and support is being offered to help him cope. “Welfare of all players is a highly relevant consideration,” said Nicholson.