Warner, Smith, Bancroft ball-tampering bans to stand

Cricket Australia has rejected ACA's submission to reconsider the sanctions against Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

Smith, Warner and Bancroft were involved in the ball-tampering scandal which shook Australian cricket earlier this year.

Cricket Australia (CA), in a statement released on Tuesday, rejected Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) submission to amend the sanctions against Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

CA Interim Chair Earl Eddings said: “The Cricket Australia Board has carefully considered all elements of the ACA submission and has determined that it is not appropriate to make any changes to the sanctions handed down to the three players.”

Smith, Warner and Bancroft were involved in the ball-tampering scandal which shook Australian cricket earlier this year. Smith and Warner were banned for a year each and Bancroft for nine months.

Smith and Warner were removed as Australia's captain and vice-captain and while the trio have been allowed to play grade cricket, international tournaments including franchise T20 leagues like IPL and BBL have been out of bounds.

Eddings reinforced the unanimous decision of the Board stating: “Despite the absence of any recommendation regarding the sanctions in the recently released Ethics Centre Review, the Board has deliberated on the ACA’s submission at length. We have reconsidered the sanctions as they apply to each of Steve, David and Cameron in light of the ACA’s submission and the Ethics Centre Review and Recommendations.

"CA maintains that both the length and nature of the sanctions remain an appropriate response in light of the considerable impact on the reputation of Australian cricket, here and abroad.

"As such, the Cricket Australia Board doesn’t intend to consider further calls for amendments to the sanctions."