CA bans Smith, Warner for 12 months; Bancroft gets nine-month ban

Bengaluru, March 28: Cricket Australia on Wednesday (March 28) banned Steve Smith and David Warner for 12 months for their involvement in the Cape Town ball tampering scandal.

Cameron Bancroft was slapped with a nine-month ban. Additionally, CA has also banned Smith from captaining Australia for two years, confirming Tim Paine as skipper at least for immediate future. This means both Warner and Smith will miss India's tour of Australia later this year and all the three men have four days to appeal their respective sanctions.

WARNER STEPS DOWN" title="SMITH, WARNER, BANCROFT RETURN | WARNER STEPS DOWN" />SMITH, WARNER, BANCROFT RETURN | WARNER STEPS DOWN

Smith, Warner, Bancroft are allowed to play Grade cricket but will not be able to represent their respective states. The trio neither will be able to play in this edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the BCCI too has suspended them.

Can’t believe the CEO James Sutherland can publicly say that there is sand paper in the dressing and in the players bags . All the bats have a plastic coverings over them so not sure why sand paper needed . We used to sand our bats in the 80s !! Plse help !!

— Allan Lamb (@AllanLamb294) March 28, 2018

Both Smith and Warner have stepped down as the captains of Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively.

How much loss each player will suffer

Royals have already appointed Ajinkya Rahane as captain while the Hyderabad franchise may choose the next skipper from among Shikhar Dhawan, Kane Williamson, Shakib al Hasan and Manish Pandey.

WHAT THEY SAID

James Sutherland: "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.

"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.

How much money these 3 players will lose

"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."

David Peever (CA Chariman): "As I indicated yesterday, the CA Board understands and shares the anger of fans and the broader Australian community about these events.

"They go to the integrity and reputation of Australian Cricket and Australian sport and the penalties must reflect that."

On Tuesday night, the CA had narrowed down the guilty to three players - Smith, Warner and Bancroft - in the Cape Town ball tampering scandal.

In a press do conducted by its CEO James Sutherland in Johannesburg, CA announced replacements for the aforementioned players - Matt Renshaw, Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell and they will reach Johannesburg ahead of the fourth Test beginning on Friday.

Breaking news from @jimmaxcricket: Steve Smith and David Warner have been given 12-month bans by Cricket Australia. Smith will face media on landing in Sydney. #SAvAus

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) March 28, 2018

However, the CA made it clear that coach Darren Lehmann will continue in his post much against the rumours otherwise, while wicketkeeper Tim Paine will lead the side.