Smith gets one Test ban, Bancroft let-off with fine

Wicket-keeper Tim Paine is leading Australia in Cape Town, in which Australia have been set a stiff 430-run target by the hosts.

Smith and Bancroft had admitted their crime during the press conference after the day’s play.

The incident spurred adverse reactions with Cricket Australia sacking Steve Smith and David Warner from captain and vice-captain’s roles for the remainder of the third Test match.

The incident was aired on camera by the official broadcasters and the umpires immediately sprang into action but however, chose not to change the ball or award 5 penalty runs to South Africa because they could not see any marks on the ball that suggested that its condition had been changed as a direct result of Bancroft’s actions. The umpires though agreed that Bancroft’s actions were likely to alter the condition of the ball and he was therefore charged under Article 2.2.9.

Commenting on his decision, Mr Pycroft said: “To carry a foreign object on to the field of play with the intention of changing the condition of the ball to gain an unfair advantage over your opponent is against not only the Laws, but the Spirit of the game as well.

Mr Richardson said: “The decision made by the leadership group of the Australian team to act in this way is clearly contrary to the spirit of the game, risks causing significant damage to the integrity of the match, the players and the sport itself and is therefore ‘serious’ in nature. As captain, Steve Smith must take full responsibility for the actions of his players and it is appropriate that he be suspended.”

Smith was found guilty of breaching Article 2.2.1 of ICC’s Code of Conduct, which which prohibits to ‘all types of conduct of a serious nature that is contrary to the spirit of the game’.

While Bancroft was guilty of breaching Article 2.2.9 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which relates to “changing the condition of the ball in breach of clause 41.3.”

Both Smith and Bancroft accepted the proposed sanction without any appeal.

“The game needs to have a hard look at itself. In recent weeks we have seen incidents of ugly sledging, send-offs, dissent against umpires’ decisions, a walk-off, ball tampering and some ordinary off-field behaviour.

The International Cricket Council has announced its verdict on the ball-tampering incident during the third day’s play of the third Test match between Australia and South Africa at Cape Town.

Australian opener Cameron Bancroft, who was caught on camera, using a sharp object, trying to alter the condition of the ball, has been let off with a 75% fine and three demerit points.

Steve Smith has been handed a one-match ban and fined 100% of his match fee following his involvement in the ball tampering during South Africa’s second innings.