ICC punishment too lenient – Graeme Smith

Cape Town, March 26: Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith criticised the one-match ban handed down to embattled Australia skipper Steve Smith, describing the ICC's punishment as too lenient.

Smith will miss the fourth and final Test against the Proteas after admitting he and Australia's leadership group were behind the ball-tampering scandal that has engulfed cricket.

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With growing calls for Smith to be permanently stripped of the captaincy amid uncertainty over his future as Cricket Australia continues to investigate, one of South Africa's greatest players questioned the ICC's sanction.

"I think that they [ICC] had an opportunity to set a precedent here," Graeme Smith told cricket.com.au. "I think it [Smith's punishment] is too lenient.

"It's something that he's admitted and that he's aware of and was a part of and that he planned to cheat. I felt the ICC had an opportunity and in my mind they haven't dealt with it effectively.

"I know the ICC have stuck to the letter of their system but having captained before, the spirit of the game gets drummed down as a captain, and the ICC make a conscious effort before every series to make sure that as a leader you're aware of that and it's your responsibility.

"I think in many ways Cricket Australia have been firmer than the ICC."

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine was named captain on day four as the besieged Australians were crushed by 322 runs on Sunday (March 25).

It capped a tumultuous weekend for the tourists, with CA on Monday (March 26) denying reports that some players had departed South Africa to return to Australia.

Smith will definitely miss the fourth Test in Johannesburg, starting on Friday (March 30).

"In many ways with what's going on it's probably not a bad thing," Graeme Smith said. "Yes, they're losing their best player and captain for a period of time now but there's so much focus and heat on him.

"I can only imagine what's going on behind the scenes in terms of chats and meetings with CA and the relevant people involved in sorting this out. From all accounts, it looks like Cricket Australia are going to take a pretty firm stance on this."

Source: OPTA