Ball-tampering: Cricket Australia bans Warner and Smith for 12 months
What's the story
Steve Smith and David Warner have been banned for one-year by Cricket Australia (CA) for their involvement in the ball tampering incident in the 3rd Test against South Africa.
This comes after CA CEO James Sutherland announced, on Tuesday, that there will be heavy sanctions on the players who masterminded this scandal.
Yesterday, Smith, Warner and Bancroft were suspended for the fourth Test.
Big blow
12-month ban was expected
This comes as a big blow to Australian fans, given the World Cup is only 12 months away.
On Tuesday, Sutherland had stated that the verdict will be pronounced once the investigation gets completed.
Australia have replaced Smith, Warner and Bancroft with three new players for the fourth Test. Tim Paine was announced Australia's skipper.
Cameron Bancroft has been banned for nine months.
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Smith, Warner suffer one blow after another
Smith and Warner have stepped down as captains of Rajasthan and Hyderabad respectively. They were retained for whopping amounts. Warner is set to lose his contract with LG Australia. Their 2019 World Cup places aren't safe anymore.
Out of the job
Smith, Warner banned from captaincy for two years
The CA has also banned these two legends from captaining Australia for the next 2 years.
This means, they could only stake a claim in 2020.
A lot will depend on how they perform once they make a return to the national side next year.
Australia will miss Smith's captaincy in the 2019 World Cup and the Ashes as well.
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Players have right to appeal the verdict
Reports state that all the players involved in the incident have the right to appeal their verdicts and also the duration of their penalties with an independent commissioner. Smith will speak publicly after his arrival in Sydney.