IPL

IPL kicks out Smith & Warner

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David Warner and Steve Smith in happier times
  • Post published:March 28, 2018

Steve Smith and David Warner have been kicked out of the IPL following the 12-month bans imposed by Cricket Australia for their part in the ball-tampering plot in the third Test against South Africa.

Both had already resigned the captaincy of their teams, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, respectively, but IPL commissioner Rajiv Shukla has confirmed that neither will be permitted to play and that their franchises could bring in replacements. The two were among the highest-paid players in the lucrative series and will lose an estimated $2.5-million in fees, in addition to endorsements and bonuses.

Warner has also lost a contract with electronics giant LG, who announced that they would not renew the deal, which was due for renegotiation shortly.

Smith and Warner, as senior members of the conspiracy, were given 12-month bans from all Australian international and domestic competitions (and neither will be considered for the captaincy for two years) while Cameron Bancroft, the junior player tasked with doctoring the ball, was banned for nine months.

They will be permitted to play club cricket and, according to Cricket Australia, are ‘encouraged to do so to maintain links with the cricket community’.

All three players will be required to undertake 100 hours of voluntary service in community cricket.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland said: ‘The sanctions we have announced are significant for the individuals involved. 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.’

The banned players will be free to play in next year’s Cricket World Cup in England, starting on 30 May 2019. In the meantime, Smith and Warner will miss Tests against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh India (four), Sri Lanka (two) and Pakistan (three), as well as the five-match ODI series against South Africa in Australia in October/November.