The Australian Cricketers’ Association has questioned the severity of the punishment Cricket Australia has imposed upon Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith, and David Warner. Steven Smith and David Warner have been banned for 12 months. Cameron Bancroft has been handed a ban for nine months by the national cricket board.
However, several fans and experts raised a question over the strictness of the punishment imposed. The Australian Cricketers’ Association has also raised a question over the harsh punishment imposed.
The ACA in a written statement accepted that the players “made very serious mistakes” and that those events should be authorized in a “fair and proper way.”
The points stated are:
- The grading and sanctions proposed are considerably higher than the ICC’s grading and sanctions;
- The disproportionally between the proposed sanctions and those previously handed down in world cricket for ‘changing the condition of the ball’ – including by captains of international teams applying artificial substances;
- The activation of CA’s Board as a deliberative body on the proposed sanctions;
- That public statements by CA to date have not referenced consideration of contextual factors including the environment in South Africa during the series and the impacts on individual players;
- The rush to place players before the world’s media last Saturday night without the benefit of considered and coherent advice.
CEO Cricket Australia James Sutherland. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
The ACA has confirmed that it will continue to support the players and will provide all the legal help that the players require in such situations.
“The ACA continues to provide welfare and legal support to all players. This welfare support will be critical at a time where the network and environment of each of the three players must play an active role in their rehabilitation.”
“All Australians would understand the right of the players to receive advice from their advisers, peers and family and the time necessary to ensure the sanctions are fair and proportional. The ACA has called for the proposed cultural review to be fully independent and to consider all relevant factors and context surrounding these acts. The examination must also extend to CA’s response and process following Saturday’s events.”
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