Disgraced Australian duo Steve Smith and David Warner have been handed 12-month bans as more damning details of their parts in the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked world cricket emerged.
The former captain and vice-captain were kicked off Australia's tour of South Africa on Wednesday for cheating in the third Test last weekend.
Smith and Warner were stood down as captain and vice-captain after they ordered Cameron Bancroft, who has been banned for nine months, to tamper with the ball with sandpaper - not tape - during the Cape Town Test.
As well as their careers being damaged, their wallets will take a hit too as they lose out on millions from playing international cricket.
Both Smith and Warner have also been banned from competing in this year's IPL and lose £1.3 million contracts.
Before the ball-tampering scandal scandal broke, Smith earned £1 million, while Warner took home £750 000 from their central contracts with Cricket Australia.
This encompassed their base salary, plus bonuses for appearing in Test matches, one-day internationals and T20 games. However, neither will be eligible for this cash while they serve their year-long bans.
As the shamed captain was pictured receiving a heavy police escort at Johannesburg airport ahead of flying back to Australia, cricket officials also revealed:
- The trio of players had lied to match officials to cover their plot.
- Warner had demonstrated to Bancroft how to rough up the ball.
- The former vice-captain had shown a 'lack of contrition' since being caught.
Cricket Australia’s probe into the ball tampering plot by Australian players during the third Test against South Africa has revealed even more astonishing details about the situation.
Though it was previously believed that Bancroft used tape to pick up dirt to be rubbed against the ball, it has been confirmed by officials that sandpaper was utilised to roughen it.
The probe also found Warner found responsible for ‘development of a plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball’, and ‘instruction to a junior player to carry out a plan’.
It has led to him being told he will never be considered for a captaincy position in the national side again.
Smith was banned on the basis that he knew about the plan but failed to prevent it from being carried out, as well as directing Bancroft to hide the sandpaper in his trousers.
All three were found to have attempted to have lied about what happened to match officials after they were caught out on TV cameras.
Cricket Australia released their damning findings from the incident on Wednesday, with Smith and Bancroft barred from leaderships positions for the next two years.
The report adds that former vice-captain Warner will not be considered again in the future after showing Bancroft how to tamper with the ball using sandpaper.
Warner was found to have been responsible for 'development of a plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball', and 'instruction to a junior player to carry out a plan'.
The former vice-captain was also charged with providing advice to a junior player - Bancroft - on how to tamper with the ball 'including demonstrating how it could be done'.
Warner also misled the Newlands match officials by concealing his knowledge of and involvement in the plan and did not voluntarily report his involvement.
Cricket Australia's website alleged Warner had showed 'an apparent lack of contrition' over the incident, a statement which has since been removed.
Smith is charged with knowing of the plan but failing to take steps to prevent it.
All three are permitted to play club cricket and will have to undertake 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket before they are considered for selection again.
Smith was charged with a breach of Article 2.3.5 of the CA Code of Conduct based on:
(a) knowledge of a potential plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball;
(b) failure to take steps to seek to prevent the development and implementation of that plan;
(c) directing that evidence of attempted tampering be concealed on the field of play;
(d) seeking to mislead match officials and others regarding Bancroft's attempts to artificially alter the condition of the ball;
(e) misleading public comments regarding the nature, extent and participants of the plan.
Warner was charged with a breach of Article 2.3.5 of the CA Code of Conduct based on:
(a) development of a plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball;
(b) instruction to a junior player to carry out a plan to take steps to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper;
(c) provision of advice to a junior player regarding how a ball could be artificially altered including demonstrating how it could be done;
(d) failure to take steps to seek to prevent the development and/or implementation of the plan;
(e) failure to report his knowledge of the plan at any time prior to or during the match;
(f) misleading match officials through the concealment of his knowledge of and involvement in the plan;
(g) failure to voluntarily report his knowledge of the plan after the match.
Bancroft was charged with a breach of Article 2.3.5 of the CA Code of Conduct based on:
(a) knowledge of the existence of, and being party to, the plan to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper;
(b) carrying out instructions to attempt to artificially alter the condition of the ball;
(c) seeking to conceal evidence of his attempts to artificially alter the condition of the ball;
(d) seeking to mislead Match Officials and others regarding his attempts to artificially alter the condition of the ball;
(e) misleading public comments regarding the nature, extent, implementation and participants of the plan.
Cricket Australia chairman David Peever said: 'As I indicated yesterday, the CA Board understands and shares the anger of fans and the broader Australian community about these events.
'They go to the integrity and reputation of Australian Cricket and Australian sport and the penalties must reflect that.
'These are significant penalties for professional players and the board does not impose them lightly.
"It is hoped that following a period of suspension, the players will be able to return to playing the game they love and eventually rebuild their careers.'
CA chief James Sutherland added: 'As the chairman has noted, the sanctions we have announced are significant for the individuals involved.
'That is why the process has had to be thorough to ensure that all relevant issues have been examined.
'I am satisfied that the sanctions in this case properly reflect a balance between the need to protect the integrity and reputation of the game and the need to maintain the possibility of redemption for the individuals involved, all of whom have learned difficult lessons through these events.
'As indicated, Cricket Australia will provide more details of an independent review into the conduct and culture of our Australian men's team in due course.' Sutherland concluded.
Smith has been replaced as captain by wicketkeeper Tim Paine and is expected to give a press-conference when he lands at Sydney airport later on Wednesday.
The pair will be available for selection again for next year's Ashes when Australia look to retain the urn back in England
The punishments will see Smith and Warner return to Australian colours in time for next year's World Cup in England and the 2019 Ashes series.
Bancroft will be available for selection again in time for the Australian summer.
In the meantime all three will be unable to play state or Australian cricket, but can play grade cricket.
Coach Darren Lehmann was spared the axe following claims he knew nothing about the plan.
AUSTRALIA SCHEDULE
June 2018: Tour of England, 5 ODIs and 1 T20
June-July: Tour of Zimbabwe, 1 Test and 3 ODIs
July: Bangladesh in Australia, 2 Tests and 3 ODIs
October: Tour of Pakistan, 5 ODIs and 1 T20
October-November: South Africa in Australia, 5 ODIs and 3 T20s
November-January 2019: India in Australia, 4 Tests
January-February: Sri Lanka in Australia, 2 Tests, 3 ODIs
February 2019: India in Australia, 5 ODIs, 2 T20s
March 2019: Tour of Pakistan, 3 Tests