Smith, Warner banned for 12 months

Australia duo Steve Smith and David Warner have been banned for 12 months following their involvement in ball-tampering during the third Test against South Africa at Cape Town, Cricket Australia (CA) confirms.

Cameron Bancroft, the player who actually used the yellow tape to pick up granules from the ground and tamper with the ball has been handed a nine-month ban.

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Timeline of SHAME

Warner has been held responsible for "development of a plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball", and "instruction to a junior player to carry out a plan". He in fact demonstrated how the ball can be tampered with to Bancroft. Warner is also said to have mislead the Newlands match officials by concealing knowledge of his involvement and did not voluntarily report his involvement.

Warner will never again be considered  for any leadership role while Smith and Bancroft will have to wait 12 months before they can again be considered for any form of leadership role.

Smith’s ban was based on the fact that he knew of the plan but failed to take steps and keep it from happening. It was also Smith who directed that the evidence be concealed after which Bancroft hid the device in his trousers.

The trio has been banned from all forms of international and domestic cricket in Australia but they can still feature in club cricket. The players must also complete 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket.

A CA code of behaviour hearing will be conducted by an independent commissioner and the players in question will have the right to challenge the verdicts and the duration of the penalties.

CA earlier took the decision that captain Steve Smith, Warner and Bancroft were to be sent home following the scandal however coach Darren Lehmann was to remain in his position.

CA chief James Sutherland had earlier today said: "The key finding is that prior knowledge of the ball tampering incident was limited to three players: Captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

"No other players or support staff had prior knowledge and this includes Darren Lehmann, who despite inaccurate media reports, has not resigned from his position.

"He will continue to coach the Australian men’s team under his current contract."

Queensland openers Matthew Renshaw and Joe Burns, and Victorian allrounder Glenn Maxwell have been called into the side as replacement of Smith, Warner and Bancroft.