Steve Smith may get a ban of one-year and lose captaincy of Australia, reports suggest

Steve Smith was banned for a Test and fined 100% of his match fees for admitting to tampering with the ball.

Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft admitting to the ball tampering accusations during the press conference

Tainted Australia captain Steve Smith’s troubles are far from over if reports are to be believed. After copping a one Test ban and a fine of 100% of his match fees by the ICC, Cricket Australia may also give him harsh punishment.

According to reports in The Guardian, Smith could be banned from representing his country for a year due to the ball-tampering controversy. A probe led by CA CEO James Sutherland will let Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft know their fate in next 48 hours.

The reports further suggested that the trio may not be a part of the playing XI in the fourth and final Test against South Africa at Johannesburg. Queensland opener Matt Renshaw has been flown in to join the squad for the final Test.

Sutherland will join Executive General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard and Senior Legal Counsel and Head of Integrity Iain Roy in the probe, which has been started under severe pressure from sponsors and Australian government.

Both Smith and Warner stepped down from their respective posts of captain and vice-captain of the team before the start of the fourth day’s play in Newlands and Tim Paine took over the responsibility of leading the team.  

Australia are already 2-1 down in the four match series and if Warner and Smith miss the final Test, winning the last Test to draw the series will become an extremely difficult task for the visitors.

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 27 Mar, 2018

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