Australia slaps 12-month bans on Smith and Warner

Sacked Australia captain Steve Smith and David Warner have both been banned for 12 months for their roles in the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town, Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Wednesday, after uncovering a web of lies told by the players after they were caught. Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was banned for nine months following the scandal, which has outraged the fans, jolted the sponsors and prompted CA to send the players home from South Africa. The trio will be allowed to compete in club cricket, but cannot take part in state or international games for the duration of their bans.

Smith, Warner reportedly banned for one year, Bancroft for nine months following involvement in Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. ➡️ https://t.co/1MkwwYYGHx pic.twitter.com/dljKaUIU7P

— ICC (@ICC) March 28, 2018

"David Warner will not be considered for team leadership positions in the future," CA said in the statement, having fingered him in developing the plot. Smith and Bancroft will have to wait two years before they are considered for leadership roles, and even then it will "be conditional on acceptance by fans and the public", according to CA. Each player must also complete 100 hours of community service before being considered for future selection, while it was confirmed that the cheat had been confined to the trio only, exonerating team mates and coach Darren Lehmann of any wrong-doing.

CONFIRMED: Cricket Australia has suspended Steve Smith and David Warner for 12 months following the ball tampering investigation. Cameron Bancroft has been suspended for nine months.

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 28, 2018

A key finding was that Bancroft had in fact used sandpaper to rough up the ball in the third test at Newlands, and not sticky tape as he stated, adding an extra element of premeditation to the actions and re-opening questions as to whether this was an isolated incident. Warner was also found guilty of "provision of advice to a junior player (Bancroft) regarding how a ball could be artificially altered including demonstrating how it could be done". Part of the findings against both Smith and Bancroft were that they had mislead both the umpires on the field of play, and the public in a press conference as to the "the nature, extent and participants of the plan".

BREAKING: Steve Smith and David Warner handed 12-month suspensions by Cricket Australia. More here: https://t.co/RDv5WcUQpC #SSN https://t.co/8zqBDC9kBb

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 28, 2018

While Smith and Bancroft were both found guilty of "knowledge" of the plan to cheat, a CA statement credits Warner with the "development" of the plot, suggesting he was the instigator. All three also have the right to appeal their sentences. "The CA Board understands and shares the anger of fans and the broader Australian community about these events," Cricket Australia Chairman, David Peever said in a statement. "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."