Australian Cricket players banned for months after sports scandal in South Africa
Steve Smith and ="https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/david-warner">David Warner< have been handed 12-month bans from international cricket after the ball-tampering scandal, with Cameron Bancroft receiving a nine-month suspension.
The trio were sent home from the tour of ="https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/south-africa-cricket-team">South Africa< following the third Test after Bancroft was seen using sticky tape in an attempt to change the condition of the ball.
Smith and Warner have also been told they will not be allowed to captain Australia for the next two years, while all three players will only be permitted to play grade cricket Down Under for the duration of their suspensions.
Opener Bancroft and Smith gave a press conference after the third day's play admitting hatching a plan to cheat.
Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland announced on Tuesday that the trio had been sent home, with the investigation concluding no-one else, including coach Darren Lehmann, had prior knowledge of the ploy.
Axed skipper Smith is expected to speak to the media upon his arrival back in Sydney, but he and his vice-captain Warner will now serve a year-long exile from international cricket.
Bancroft's punishment is less severe. The batsman was seemingly carrying out instructions when he was seen tampering with the ball in the field, sheepishly placing the tape down his trousers after being spotted.
All three players have the right to challenge the verdicts and the duration of the suspensions. An independent commissioner would choose whether the hearings are public or private.
Both Smith and Warner have resigned their IPL captaincy roles with the Rajasthan Royals and SunRisers Hyderabad respectively.
Smith is expected to pull out of the tournament altogether, while Warner will likely play but solely as a batsman.
The news comes as another blow for Warner who has endured a tumultuous few days.
Having seemingly been pinpointed as the chief orchestrator behind the ball-tampering plot, he was ostracised by his teammates and was described by the Australian press as having 'gone rogue'.
Warner deleted himself from the players' WhatsApp group and was seen 'chugging Champagne from the bottle' alone in a hotel bar.
He has also been dropped by sponsor LG, with the electronic giant stressing their 'core values' in a statement confirming they would not be renewing their partnership.
“In light of recent events, we have decided not to renew our partnership,” a spokeswoman said.
“LG Australia will always look to work with ambassadors that share our core brand values and we take these relationships incredibly seriously to ensure we put our customers, employees and stakeholders first.”
What bans mean for Smith, Warner and Bancroft
- Smith and Warner banned for 12 months, Bancroft for nine
- Smith and Warner unable to captain Australia for the next two years
- All three players banned from all international cricket and all domestic cricket in Australia for the duration of their bans, with the exception of grade cricket
- Smith and Warner resign IPL captaincy at Rajasthan Royals and SunRisers Hyderabad respectively
- All three players could play county cricket if signed
- Bans will expire in time for all three players to be available for next year's World Cup and subsequent Ashes series