The final call on reducing the bans of ball-tampering saga culprits Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft is expected to be taken this week as Cricket Australia is scheduled for a meeting.

While Bancroft’s suspension is due to end on December 29, however Smith and Warner’s bans will end only on 29 March 2019. The Australian Cricketers' Association has been arguing for a reduction in the suspensions saying "the events in South Africa were in part a by-product of a culture and system which, amongst other things, placed too much pressure on players to win."

On November 7, CA said that they will consider ACA’s plea and will meet this week to deliberate on this matter. Sydney Morning Herald reported that an immediate lift of the suspensions would be considered unfair on Bancroft, for he would have served more time proportionately than Smith and Warner.

In the absence of Smith and Warner, Australia have struggled across formats. They'll be up against a strong Indian side in the home series that begins next week, but new CA chief Kevin Roberts had initially said the bans would not be lifted.

The new CA board is expected to take into account the public sentiments if the bans are lifted.

(Inputs: news18.com/cricketnext)