Steve Smith, David Warner bans end; CA chief says 'duo paid price'

The one-year ban slapped in the duo following the infamous ball-tampering scandal expired overnight

Finally, the day has come when former Australian skipper Steve Smith and David Warner are free to play at state and international levels. The one-year ban slapped in the duo following the infamous ball-tampering scandal expired overnight. Their reintegration process has already begun with the pair meeting the one-day team in Dubai this month. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts has stated that the return of the banned duo won’t disrupt the resurgent team. Asked whether relations between players had been patched up sufficiently, Roberts compared the situation to any other workplace. “What we're focused on is doing everything we can to support Dave, Steve, Cameron and all of the other support staff with this integration... to build harmony rather than to disrupt the harmony that is building,” said Roberts. “At the same time, let's be open about it —in any workplace, you don't need to be best mates with everyone, but there needs to be a foundation of respect and I think there is growing respect there,” he added. The "Sandpaper-gate" scandal triggered far-reaching consequences for Australian cricket. Then-coach Darren Lehmann quit and all the top brass from Cricket Australia left after a scathing review said their "arrogant and controlling" win-at-all-costs culture was partly to blame for players bending the rules. Warner was widely seen as the instigator of the plot during the third Test in Cape Town last year to use sandpaper to alter the ball, with rookie opener Cameron Bancroft carrying it out and Smith turning a blind eye.