Former Australian captain and vice captain, Steve Smith and David Warner handed 12 months ban by cricket Australia. The verdict comes after further investigations in ball tampering row. The other accused Cameron Bancroft was banned for a period of 9 months. Smith and Warner have already stepped down from their IPL captaincy roles. Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland met the players at their hotel in Johannesburg’s Sandton district to tell them their fate before they flew back to Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Smith will not be considered for the captaincy of the national team for a period of 24 months, while Warner will not be considered at all in the future. All the three accused cricketer have allready flew back home in Australia.
Cricket Australia had already concluded that coach Darren Lehmann was not involved in the controversy and he will remain in his post.
“As the Chairman has noted, 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,” Sutherland said.
“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,” he added.
“As indicated, Cricket Australia will provide more details of an independent review into the conduct and culture of our Australian men’s team in due course.” Sutherland concluded.
Earlier, Smith was slapped with one-match ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and was also fined for breaching the code of conduct. Bancroft also got 75 per cent fine and three demerit points.
On Wednesday, Warner stepped down as captain of Indian Premier League side Sunrisers Hyderabad. Smith stood down as captain of Rajasthan Royals on Monday.
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.”
