MUMBAI: Senior Australian cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner will play no part in this year’s Indian Premier League after being served one-year suspensions by Cricket Australia in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.
Cameron Bancroft, the batsman who was caught on camera attempting to change the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa, has been banned for nine months. Bancroft had said he used tape and dirt, though Cricket Australia said on Wednesday that it was sandpaper.
The BCCI immediately announced that Smith and Warner were banned “with immediate effect from participation in IPL 2018”.
The Indian cricket board further stated: “The BCCI hopes that the cricketers participating in the IPL hold the highest regard for the Spirit of Cricket and Code of Conduct for Players and Match Officials.
“The concerned IPL franchises will be allowed replacement players.”
While announcing the sentence, Cricket Australia chairman, David Peever said: “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.
“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.”
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland, who is himself facing calls to step down in the wake of the scandal, said: “As the chairman has noted, 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.
“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.” Sutherland concluded.
