Shane Warne questions severity of ball-tampering bans amid 'tornado of hysteria'

Alex Fisher

Shane Warne questions severity of ball-tampering bans amid 'tornado of hysteria' image

Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have been handed punishments that do not fit the crime of ball tampering, according to Australia great Shane Warne.

The trio were handed international and domestic suspensions by Cricket Australia on Wednesday after being found guilty of trying to alter the condition of the ball against South Africa in Cape Town.

Smith and Bancroft admitted the offence at a media conference after the third day's play at Newlands, with the former subsequently stood down as captain for the remainder of the Test.

A Cricket Australia investigation was launched and the pair – along with vice-captain Warner – were subject to hefty sanctions.

MORE: REVEALED: What Lehmann really said into his walkie-talkie | Fans divided on penalties imposed on Smith, Warner and Bancroft | CA ball-tampering findings label Warner the ring-leader |

Smith and Warner were banned for 12 months, while Bancroft will not be eligible to play for nine months, with all three having the right to appeal.

Australia's actions on the pitch have brought condemnation from across the globe, but Warne believes the authorities have gone over the top with the punishments they have handed out in response to an international 'build-up of hate' towards the Australian cricket team he says 'has exploded and created this tornado of hysteria'.

"To hear that the Australian cricket team had been involved in premeditated cheating is something that is embarrassing, but the jump to hysteria is something that has elevated the offence beyond what they actually did, and maybe we're at a point where the punishment just might not fit the crime," Warne wrote in his News Limited column.

"The hysteria has gone worldwide … But what are the players guilty of? Cheating via ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute. Their opposing captain in this series, South Africa's Faf du Plessis, has been charged with ball-tampering twice, and opening bowler Vernon Philander once.

"Then there's the idea of premeditated cheating. But are there levels of ball tampering, or is it just ball tampering? Is putting a mint in your pocket so you can shine a ball on the field premeditated cheating, or just ball tampering? What about putting sunscreen on the ball? You either ball tamper or you don't.

"For that reason, I don't think the punishment is fitting the crime."

While the three players were punished, coach Darren Lehmann was not sanctioned, much to the surprise of many. However, Warne is confident his former team-mate has not been protected by the Australian authorities.

 

Alex Fisher