Tampering sanctions won't be softened: CA

Claims that the 12-month bans imposed upon Steve Smith and David Warner might be softened to allow them to participate in the second half of next summer’s JLT Sheffield Shield season have been strongly refuted by Cricket Australia.

Smith and Warner were suspended for a year under CA’s Code of Conduct following an investigation into their involvement – along with Cameron Bancroft – into the ball-tampering incident that unfolded during the third Test against South Africa at Cape Town last March.

All three players accepted the charges laid against them and the subsequent punishments administered – with Bancroft suspended for nine months – without pursuing the option of appeal, and will remain unavailable for international and Australian domestic cricket until their bans are served.

As such, ex-Test captain Smith and his former deputy Warner will not be available for Sheffield Shield selection until the 2018-19 final (scheduled to begin 28 March next year) while Bancroft is eligible to return for Western Australia in the new year.

Reports today that discussions had taken place to explore possible relaxing of the suspensions for Smith and Warner to allow them to play domestic cricket ahead of next year’s ICC World Cup and Ashes campaigns in the UK were dismissed by CA as “purely speculative”.

“At no stage have we, or are we considering lessening the current sanctions in place for respective players in relation to the incident in South Africa,” a CA spokesperson told cricket.com.au.

“The CA Code of Conduct does not allow for reversal or lessening of sanctions once players have fully accepted the charges.

“The current articles published are purely speculative.”

When the sanctions were handed down on 28 March in the wake of the investigation conducted by CA in South Africa, the three players identified as having prior knowledge of the incident whereby sandpaper was used to try and alter the condition of the ball were given eight days to confirm whether they would accept or challenge the bans.

That period was extended a further four days for Warner to reach a decision, before all three confirmed they would not appeal the length or conditions of the suspensions and accompanying penalties, such as restrictions on holding future leadership positions within Australian cricket.

Smith has been prevented from taking up leadership roles for two years from the commencement of the suspension, while Warner has been ruled out of contention for any form of captaincy duties for the remainder of his career.

Upon confirming the players had accepted the penalties and that no independent appeals hearing was required, CA Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland noted the sanctions had been approved by the CA Board and had been arrived upon after careful consideration.

“The events of Cape Town have severely affected the game,” Sutherland said in announcing the sanctions on April 5.

“It has also been humbling to be reminded of the passion all Australians have for our great game.

“These are significant penalties for professional cricketers. They were not imposed lightly.

“We know the players will return to playing the game they love, and in doing so, we hope they rebuild their careers and regain the trust of fans.”

All three players have recently returned to competitive cricket – Smith and Warner in the ongoing Global T20 Canada tournament being staged in Toronto, while Bancroft is participating in the Northern Territory Strike League limited-overs competition that kicked off last weekend.

Warner has also signed on to take part in the Strike League in Darwin on the weekend of July 21-22, when his Canadian commitments have been completed.