Arthur hopes Smith, Warner and Bancroft can play county cricket

Suspended Australia trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have the sympathy of Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur.

Published : Apr 26, 2018 01:02 IST

Mickey Arthur hopes that Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will get the chance to play county cricket after their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal that led to the trio being banned from international and domestic action by Cricket Australia.

Bancroft used sandpaper to attempt to alter the condition of the ball during the third Test against South Africa last month and accepted a nine-month ban.

Warner was sanctioned for 12 months after he was deemed to have developed the plan, while Smith was hit with the same punishment for having knowledge of their intentions and failing to stop it occurring.

At the time, former Australia coach Arthur hit out at the "boorish" and "arrogant" culture in the team's set up.

But the South African – now coach of Pakistan – hopes they are allowed to continue their careers in England.

"Australia always play their cricket really hard, they play it tough. They've pushed the line – I just want to know where the line is because I'm not sure many people do know where that line is and what it is," said Arthur.

"But I think it got to a point where perhaps, hopefully this is a reality check for world cricket and just makes everybody sit back and take stock.

"Hopefully, something good comes out if it.

"In a way, I feel really sorry for them. I can understand they were really stupid, they've paid a massive price for it and I know Steve Smith, he would be absolutely gutted.

"Cameron Bancroft is a new guy on the block so for him it would be really hard to swallow, and Davey.

"For them to be missing the amount of cricket they are missing is tough on them so if the ECB allowed it, it would be good for them to keep playing because I think they have paid a big price already."

Arthur's next assignment with Pakistan is a two-match Test series in England, where he expects a difficult challenge despite Joe Root's men having struggled in Australia and New Zealand.

"We are under no illusions, it will be a tough series. I watched a lot of England in the Ashes and they weren't too bad. They had opportunities in a lot of the Test matches which they just didn't close off," he added.

"There are not that many sides that win away from home these days, so that's how we are challenging ourselves. We've got a dressing room full of young cricketers who are extremely talented.

"We are trying to resurrect our Test side, so let's hope it all goes well for us."

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