The Australian Cricketers’ Association has questioned the “severity and propotionality” of the sanctions imposed on Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft in wake of the Ball-tampering scandal.
The body acknowledged the the players had committed a “serious mistake”, but pointed out “a number of glaring and clear anomalies” in the process followed by the governing body in handing down the bans.
All three players have a right to challenge the suspensions. ACA said they will provide welfare and legal support to the players.
Smith and Warner were banned for 12 months, while Bancroft was suspended for nine. Smith and Bancroft have also been barred from leadership roles for a year following their bans. Warner, meanwhile, will not be given the captaincy ever.
What ACA said
- The grading and sanctions proposed are considerably higher than the ICC’s grading and sanctions.
- The disproportion between the proposed sanctions and those previously handed down in world cricket for ‘changing the condition of the ball’ - including by Captains of international teams applying artificial substances.
- The activation of CA’s Board as a deliberative body on the proposed sanctions.
- That public statements by CA to date have not referenced consideration of contextual factors including the environment in South Africa during the series and the impacts on individual players.
- The rush to place players before the world’s media last Saturday night without the benefit of considered and coherent advice.