Australian Cricketers’ Association questions severity of ball-tampering bans

While acknowledging Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft made ‘very serious mistakes’, the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) questioned sanctions imposed by Cricket Australia (CA).

The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) has questioned “a number of glaring and clear anomalies” in the process leading to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being handed lengthy bans for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal.

Former Australia captain Steve Smith broke down in tears as he apologised for his part in the ball-tampering scandal. (AP)

Former skipper Smith and vice-captain Warner were banned for a year, and Bancroft for nine months after Cricket Australia (CA) held them guilty of conspiring to “change the condition of the ball” in last week’s third test against South Africa.

The case caused public outrage in Australia but the sentences have been criticised in some quarters as being disproportionately harsh, including by former Australian spin bowler Shane Warne.

The ACA, which represents professional first-class cricketers, called for a proposed review into Australia’s cricketing culture to be fully independent and extend to the CA’s response to the scandal.

Listing the anomalies, the ACA pointed out that the bans imposed by CA were considerably lengthier than any that the world governing body (ICC) had handed down in the past for similar offences.

It also questioned why CA’s public statements had not referenced contextual factors “including the environment in South Africa during the series” and criticised the rush to put the players before the media without considered and coherent advice.