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Banned trio's penalties 'extreme': Watson

Allrounder says the sanctions suffered by Smith, Warner and Bancroft don't compare to similar offenders

The punishments slapped on Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal were extreme, according to former Australia allrounder Shane Watson.

Smith and Warner are serving year-long bans for their part in the Cape Town scandal in March, while Bancroft got a nine-month suspension.

Smith has also been banned from taking on any leadership position for an additional 12 months and Warner will not be allowed to serve in a leadership position again.

"It is an extreme penalty for what they did compared to the bans that have happened and the reprimands that have happened in the past," Watson said in Dubai.

"They've paid a heavy price, there is no question, and when they come back they will be doing everything they can to try and repay people for the mistakes they made."

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Former Australia international and spin-bowling great Shane Warne has said the punishments on the trio were overly harsh.

The scandal outraged fans and the incident drew criticism from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

The ICC Cricket Committee overnight recommended that sanctions for ball tampering be raised.

"The group felt that excessive personal abuse and ball tampering were serious offences in the game and that should be reflected in the way in which they are dealt with," said Committee chairman Anil Kumble. 

Watson said there was no question that the players "made a huge error of judgment" and backed new Australia coach Justin Langer as the "right man" to rebuild the team.

"He is certainly going to make sure the Aussies are on the right track," said Watson, who retired from international cricket in 2016. The Australian team heads to England next month for a tour which includes five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.

Watson ruled out an international return and said that new players should be given the opportunity. He added that he was open to a mentoring role with the Australia team but was not interested in going on tour.

Cricket Australia this month appointed Watson to a panel tasked with drafting a charter of behaviour in the wake of the scandal in South Africa.