File Picture Courtesy : Fox Sports
Given the national outrage in Australia over the cheating expose, it was widely expected that Cricket Australia would come down hard on the ball tampering scandal in South Africa. As a result former Skipper Steven Smith and his former 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.
Cameron Bancroft, has been banned for nine months.
Further, Smith and Warner have also been banned from captaining Australia for two years An official announcement of their penalties is expected to be announced soon.
All players will have the right to challenge their verdicts and also the durarion of their penalties via a CA code of behaviour hearing with an independent commissioner, who can also choose whether the hearing is public or private.
With the one year ban, Steve Smith and David warner are going miss the series against India towards the end of the year. But the duo are likely to be back in contention for the 2019 World Cup in England as players but not as skippers. Will they be able to do that? it remains to be seen.
