Ball-tampering: Here's how Twitter reacted to Smith, Warner and Bancroft's ban
Johannesburg: Australian cricket experienced a black day on Wednesday as Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for a year whereas Cameron Bancroft was banned for nine months respectively in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.
However, it was earlier learnt that Darren Lehmann would continue as the cricket team’s head coach.
Here is how the cricketing world reacted on Twitter.
I must admit 12 months is a very harsh ban. 6 months I thought was right but clearly this reflects the uproar in Australia. It means they miss the India series and have little time to get ready for the World Cup
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 28, 2018
I honestly do not believe any other country would have handed its captain and lead player a 12 month ban for attempted ball-tampering
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 28, 2018
Whoa...12 months ban for both Smith and Warner. Don’t see either of them playing in the IPL too. #SandpaperGate
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 28, 2018
So with the one year ban on Smith and Warner and also a 2 year captaincy ban on both, think India will be favourites when they tour Australia later this year. Wonder, who will captain Australia at the World Cup. Aaron Finch ?
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 28, 2018
Steve Smith I think is a good guy who made a huge mistake ... He needed punishing but I think this is too harsh ... Bancroft who I don’t know was led astray but deserved punishing but again too harshly IMO ... The other guy I really don’t care about ...
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 28, 2018
The cricketing world came to a standstill on Saturday when video footage of Bancroft rubbing the ball with a yellow object went viral during the third Test against South Africa.
Later, Smith and Bancroft admitted that they actually did try to tamper the ball.
Smith eventually stepped down as the captain of Australian team for the fourth Test and was also given a one-match ban.
Following this, Smith also gave up the captaincy for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, passing the baton to Ajinkya Rahane.
Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday, Warner, too, quit as captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
