Cricket Australia bans Emily Smith for sharing Playing XI on Instagram

Hobart Hurricanes’ wicketkeeper Emily Smith has found herself in trouble after sharing her side’s line-up approximately an hour before the official scheduled release of their match. Smith was found guilty after she shared Hobart Hurricanes’ squad line-up on her Instagram before the start of their match against Sydney Thunders on November 2.

Article 2.3.2 of Cricket Australia’s Anti-Corruption Code prohibits, “Disclosing inside information to any person (with or without reward) where the participant knew or might reasonably have known that such disclosure might lead to the information being used in relation to betting in relation to any match or event.”

Smith has been handed a 12-month ban from cricket after breaching Cricket Australia‘s anti-corruption code. The 24-year-old has been ruled ineligible to engage in any form of cricket for a year, with nine months being fully suspended. Due to her suspension, Smith won’t be able to take part in the remainder of this season’s WBBL and the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL).

Sean Caroll, Cricket Australia’s Head of Integrity and Security has issued a statement which states, “Whilst Cricket Australia acknowledges that at the time of posting the team line-up there was no intent to breach the anti-corruption code, CA’s rigorous anti-corruption player education program means that players are well aware of their obligations under the anti-corruption code and there is no excuse for breaches regardless of the reasons for information being disclosed”

“Since the commencement of the WBBL, Cricket Australia has had in place a robust anti-corruption program. We have been working with Emily throughout the process and Emily now understands the mistake she made. Unfortunately, in this instance, Emily’s actions breached the anti-corruption code. We hope this serves as a reminder to all that the anti-corruption code is critical to protecting the integrity of the game,” he added.

Emily Smith has played 43 WBBL games

After making her debut with Tasmanian Roar, Smith has represented numerous domestic teams. The 24-year-old is currently associated with Western Fury and Perth Scorchers. She has previously donned the jersey for Essex Eagles and Hobart Hurricanes too. Smith, who has played 43 WBBL games, is not the first Australian women’s cricketer to have received a ban under the anti-corruption code. In 2016, Hayley Jensen and Corinne Hall had also received sanctions of two years down to six months for betting on matches.

[interaction id=”5dcd637bd42ed3f7503f9729″]