Smith and Warner Cleared to Play Cricket

The three Australian players Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were serving a one-year ban from cricket as they were caught in a ball-tampering scandal.

Former Australian captain and vice-captain are cleared to play club cricket while the future of Bancroft is still hanging

During a Test match against South Africa in March, the three players were found guilty as they were trying to alter the conditions of the ball to gain the upper hand.

Cricket Australia (CA) banned all the three players for one year which meant that they will not be allowed to play any domestic or international matches.

Recently in a meeting, it was decided that both Warner and Smith will be allowed to play grade cricket. New South Wales Cricket Association (NSWCA) did not contradict Cricket Australia’s decision and hence it was ensured that Smith and Warner will be available to play for their respective club sides, Sutherland and Randwick-Petersham.

Former Australia captain and vice-captain Steve Smith and David Warner have been cleared to play grade cricket for their respective sides in Sydney. https://t.co/PiQkaToIkB pic.twitter.com/XnJMGiEjcx

— ICC (@ICC) May 10, 2018

However the situation of Cameron Bancroft, the third player found guilty of the ball-tampering scandal, is still hanging by the thread. It would all become clear once the meeting between Western Australia’s Premier clubs take place on Monday May 14.

The Western Australia District Cricket Council is an independent body and is unique to Australia’s grade cricket system. They will have the final word about the involvement of Bancroft in Premier Cricket competitions in this season.

The WACA chief executive, Christina Matthew, has expressed her hope that Bancroft will not be “the odd one out” and would definitely be given the same opportunity as his fellow teammates.

The assignments of the players were already terminated, as Smith and Warner were left out of their respective IPL franchises Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2018 season. Bancroft was replaced by Australian opener Matt Renshaw at Somerset in the County Championship.

Australia’s new coach Justin Langar has also said that the door for the national side will always remain open for the banned players after the completion of their ban.

“If they are willing to meet the standards of the Australian cricket team, I think everyone has a place,” Langar said.