Smith, Warner banned from playing for Australia for one year

Sydney: Steve Smith and David Warner have both been banned for one year by Cricket Australia (CA) for their roles in the ball-tampering controversy in South Africa, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Wednesday.Axed captain Smith, vice-captin Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft have all been sent home from South Africa for their role in a scandal that has rocked Australian cricket.

"I understand that Steve Smith and David Warner are getting a 12-month ban from the game in Australia," ABC's chief cricket commentator Jim Maxwell was quoted as saying in the report."I don't know how that affects them elsewhere in the world, but I understand that is the nature of the penalty, the sanction as they like to call it."Maxwell was unaware about the fate of Cameron Bancroft, who was caught on camera scuffing up the ball during the Cape Town test against South Africa.CA chief James Sutherland is expected to officially announce "significant sanctions" for the trio at a news conference in Johannesburg later on Wednesday.

CA boss James Sutherland announced on Wednesday morning that Warner, Smith and Bancroft would be sent home over their roles in the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked Australian cricket.The scandal broke after Bancroft was caught on camera using tape to rough up the ball in the third Test in Cape Town.Darren Lehmann remains as Australia's coach, despite media reports he was set to resign over the ball-tampering incident, with wicket-keeper Tim Paine taking over as captain.Matthew Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns have been named as replacements for Smith, Warner and Bancroft.(UNI)