Reports: Steve Smith, David Warner to push for relaxation of their cricket bans

The much talked about the subject has yet again made to the news with Australian skipper Steve Smith along with his counterpart David Warner trying push for a relaxation of their year-long bans by Cricket Australia, which would allow them to play domestic cricket both at home and overseas. Recently, the duo was suspended by the Cricket Australia after the incident happened in South Africa during the Third Test.

After Cricket Australia (CA) came up with their decision, Rajeev Shukla, the chairman of Indian Premier League (IPL) barred their participation in the eleventh edition of the IPL. To add to their morose, Cameron Bancroft’s contract with English county club Somerset was rebuked as well.

The rulings could also force the banned trio to take up the option of formal hearings under the board’s code of conduct, the report said. The ban which has been powered by the trio doesn’t allow them to play any kind of cricket for one year; domestic and International.

Steve Smith and David Warner to push for relaxation

According to ESPN Cricinfo report: “The advisors to Smith, Warner, and Bancroft – all three have retained legal counsel in addition to their respective managers Warren Craig, James Henderson and Trent Ovens – are believed to be determined that the scope of the bans is too wide, given that the offences took place when playing for Australia, and that two players had already been penalised by the ICC.”

“Additionally, they believe that not being able to play first-class cricket over the next 12 months is likely to hamper the trio’s ability to press for Australian selection when their bans lapse. Smith and Warner would not be eligible until the end of next year’s Sheffield Shield competition, while Bancroft would be ruled out until after Christmas 2018,” the report further stated.

When the ban was initially announced, it was unclear whether the accused would be allowed to play cricket outside Australia.

“Under the code, we didn’t have any clear authority over domestic matches played overseas. It was talked about but we ascertained based on the legal advice that we didn’t have that clear authority,” CA’s CEO James Sutherland had said in a statement.

“What we’ve done is we’ve dealt with the matters within our control. We have made an assessment and I think we all know here that there are extreme views around this in terms of what the penalties are. And not only extreme one end to the other but up and down the line as well. What we have done is try to cover a number of meeting, the directors have gone into great detail to consider all of the evidence at hand and try to find the right balance for the circumstances.

“It was a really significant offense, its done immeasurable damage to the game and the reputation of the game in Australia and perhaps more broadly. And we believe in difficult circumstances we’ve found a landing spot that is fair after offering a proper process of investigation.”

“All three players will be permitted to play club cricket and will be encouraged to do so to maintain links with the cricket community,” the board said in a statement. “In addition, all three players will be required to undertake 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket.”

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