Ball tampering scandal: CA to deliberate on Smith, Warner, Bancroft bans this week

The Cricket Australia board will likely meet early this week to make a final call whether to lift or shorten the bans on Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft

After considering a plea put forth by the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), The Cricket Australia board will likely meet early this week to make a final call whether to lift or shorten the bans on Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who are currently serving ban for their involvement in a ball-tampering scandal earlier this year, in the Newlands.

As per the original decision, while Cameron Bancroft's ban is valid until December 29 this year, the bans on Smith and Warner are to stay till March 29, 2019.

However, if the bans are uplifted it might even allow the three banned men to be available for selection to play against India in the home series, starting with the first T20I on November 21.

According to Fairfax Media, the board is expected to huddle up in a meeting this week to discuss whether the bans should indeed be reduced. Fairfax Media understands an immediate lift could be seen as unfair on Bancroft, who has served more time proportionately than Warner and Smith.

According to Cricbuzz, ACA wrote a 13-point reaction to the developments in regards to the review, and stated in their official release: "Given there is now independent verification that CA's system and culture were contributing factors, the ACA Executive calls for the lifting of the Board imposed penalties on Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft."

"My message to Cricket Australia is a simple one: these contrite men have been punished enough. Let these contrite men play," Dyer said."I add that the ACA will be relentless in pursuing this end."