Would you have any sympathy for David Warner and Steve Smith if they are banned for life?

[Rana]

Maybe we could add a poll
.

I for one would certainly not have any sympathy if warner is banned for life if proven that he was also in on the ball tampering 'leadership group'. Im sorry to say but this man is just pure trouble. Over the top aggressive, physical altercations, a history of fines and now very soon to be a proven cheat. Why do I not have same, harsh judgement for Steven Smith? I just dont! Although he is the captain of the team and the issue falls right under him, I can still forgive him upto the extent that he isnt a known trouble maker like Warner. Its the same as when Asif and Amir were banned. Although we all wanted Amir to recieve a punishment, yet the vast majority of us had no sympathy whatsoever for Asif who was a serial offender.

TBH, Enough is enough with this Warner Bandit! He has been sending out a negative image for the Australian cricketer and a poor role model for children throughout the world with his behaviour. Dont want to see this guy ever again on the international stage. He should go back to where he belongs, earning his living through the mercenary cricket leagues and the Hong Kong Sixes.

 

[Buffet]

He doesn't deserve to be banned for life for this. That will be a ridiculous decision.

 

[Cozyrensetter]

So when Virat says shaam tak khelenge to inki ....etc and hurls abuses that is Sending a positive image of Indian cricket.Just because he is not fined or anything does not mean he is a saint.
Warner did the right thing as it involved his family.When Amir can play after spot fixing warner can also.And where is it officially that he cheated?
Sharjeel was called as innocent on this forum after being proven as spot fixer.Warner has been on best behaviour since 2015.Thats why he was called as Reverend.
Virat was even called out by Dravid about his antics.I mean all this goes on in cricket.If u want life ban him for bad behavior and sending a negative perception then ban kohli etc also

 

[Proactive_]

Of course. You can't have different laws for people just because you don't like the way they carry themselves. When you see that people in the same era have got away with a fine and a bit for the same offense, it's atrocious to think that some other deserves to be banned FOR LIFE for it. That's contrary to every principle of neutrality and justice.

 

[UN talkz]

No sympathies for both of them but baning for life is very harsh considering it is only ball tampering
But now we are seeing reports that Warner told English bowlers how he used to tamper the ball during Ashes after Ashes finished. So this is something serious and can't be taken lightly.

 

[Rana]

So when Virat says shaam tak khelenge to inki ....etc and hurls abuses that is Sending a positive image of Indian cricket.Just because he is not fined or anything does not mean he is a saint.
Warner did the right thing as it involved his family.When Amir can play after spot fixing warner can also.And where is it officially that he cheated?
Sharjeel was called as innocent on this forum after being proven as spot fixer.Warner has been on best behaviour since 2015.Thats why he was called as Reverend.
Virat was even called out by Dravid about his antics.I mean all this goes on in cricket.If u want life ban him for bad behavior and sending a negative perception then ban kohli etc also

Yeah but has Kohli punched a guy off he field? And if he has not been proven to be a cheat then why would ACB ask for his resignation as vice captain?

I bet you the moment Kohli steps over the line in physical altercation and cheating he would also fall right in the firing line to be banned for a long time

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Life bans would be too much.

 

[Rana]

No sympathies for both of them but baning for life is very harsh considering it is only ball tampering
But now we are seeing reports that Warner told English bowlers how he used to tamper the ball during Ashes after Ashes finished. So this is something serious and can't be taken lightly.

The source is daily mail and this is putting English player in trouble for not reporting it to the ICC if found to be true

 

[ethan hunt]

Ball tampering is widespread in all levels of the game . Anyone who has played at any level knows .
The hypocricy from the ex players in this instance has been unbelievable . No need to ban them for life at all .
Every team does it to some extent and most of the home broadcasters are complicit.

 

[UN talkz]

The source is daily mail and this is putting English player in trouble for not reporting it to the ICC if found to be true

Yes, with every passing minute, it's getting more and more dirty.

 

[Rana]

Ball tampering is widespread in all levels of the game . Anyone who has played at any level knows .
The hypocricy from the ex players in this instance has been unbelievable . No need to ban them for life at all .
Every team does it to some extent and most of the home broadcasters are complicit.

Throwing the ball purposely at the edge of the square as opposed to hiding Sandpaper in your pockets are not to be considered in the same bracket. What everyone does but cannot really be charged for versus what nobody dares to do because of the clear consequences are two very different kinds of offence.

 

[Cozyrensetter]

Yeah but has Kohli punched a guy off he field? And if he has not been proven to be a cheat then why would ACB ask for his resignation as vice captain?

I bet you the moment Kohli steps over the line in physical altercation and cheating he would also fall right in the firing line to be banned for a long time

Remember showing finger to Aussie public,Saying i don't respect mitchell johnson,sledging in SA like a maniac.There was a video where he openly threatened a spectator during an ipl match after he got out.
What i am saying When virat sledges elgar,de kock its termed as passion and forgotten just because he is scoring runs.Now when david warner celebrates wildly after Run out of de villears he is called a rampaging bull and criticized.
Why these double standards.Just because he praises amir and Pakistan does not mean he is any better in behavior than warner.U should see his replies to poor journalists when india lost first two test matches due to his wrong selections.
Punching root was one off and he did apoligise.Kohli was constantly in his face during aus-ind odi series in india but he did not say a word.What about that

 

[Protea Fan]

Life ban for ball tampering?that would be ridiculous

I think people are overreacting and exaggerating the the incident

 

[Couch Cricketer]

A ban for a few matches/a year or so I get but not a lifetime ban. Personally I am all for making the ball by bouncing the ball on practice pitches etc but not with using external objects and disagree with the restriction put on fielders on how they return the ball to the keeper.

 

[UN talkz]

Life ban for ball tampering?that would be ridiculous

I think people are overreacting and exaggerating the the incident

People are not overreacting, Australian think tank is considering it, just type life ban for Warner and Smith in google

 

[Rana]

Life ban for ball tampering?that would be ridiculous

I think people are overreacting and exaggerating the the incident

This is what ACB are considering. They have never truly been exposed as cheats like this, its going to shatter their image for eternity. The sponsors are also very much pressurizing them to take this step. They could care less about how many runs Warner and Smith score, its their brand image that is being tarnished at the same time whenever the videos of tampering are viewed

 

[UN talkz]

Remember showing finger to Aussie public,Saying i don't respect mitchell johnson,sledging in SA like a maniac.There was a video where he openly threatened a spectator during an ipl match after he got out.
What i am saying When virat sledges elgar,de kock its termed as passion and forgotten just because he is scoring runs.Now when david warner celebrates wildly after Run out of de villears he is called a rampaging bull and criticized.
Why these double standards.Just because he praises amir and Pakistan does not mean he is any better in behavior than warner.U should see his replies to poor journalists when india lost first two test matches due to his wrong selections.
Punching root was one off and he did apoligise.Kohli was constantly in his face during aus-ind odi series in india but he did not say a word.What about that

Kohli has never cheated and will never do it.
Warner is a bully and nothing more, Kohli's performance allows him to sledge others bcz he knows he will give it back to them which most of the times isn't the case for Warner.

 

[WC-Passion]

No, they've cheated and made themselves look like complete fools. Not to mention throwing a young player under the bus by encouraging him to cheat through these discussions that took place in the dressing room and with the "leadership group" is utterly disgusting. Obviously, a life ban seems a bit much because Faf, Afridi and others did not get one, but I wouldn't feel sorry for them at all.

 

[R3verse Swing]

Would I feel for Australia - No.

Would I feel for Warner/Bancroft? - No.

Would I feel for Smith if he took the rap for Warner/Lehman/Bancroft while not guilty? - Perhaps - otherwise, No.

 

[R3verse Swing]

Life ban for ball tampering?that would be ridiculous

I think people are overreacting and exaggerating the the incident

It is not life for ball tampering. It is life ban for systematically planning and implementing cheating methods to gain an unfair advantage. From the Coach, to the players.

 

[Rana]

Kohli has never cheated and will never do it.
Warner is a bully and nothing more, Kohli's performance allows him to sledge others bcz he knows he will give it back to them which most of the times isn't the case for Warner.

100%

Youve got to remember with this guy and people like him, they are extremely hostile to play against and they dont make playing cricket an enjoyable experience. Im not saying its ok for everyone to be a softie because people like Warner exist, what Im saying is that he crosses the line of what is tolerable himself and more often than not in a very unpleasent and in a manner that isn't needed. Enough is Enough, people like him are often brought down to earth when they are actually chucked into the rough end of life with real hard knocks who wont tolerate his antics. To top it all off, the guy as been cheating, conspiring and instigating to cheat. Hypocrite of the highest level!

 

[pillionrider]

Would be ridiculous if it happened. CA shouldn't get carried away in trying to appear tough and zero-tolerant.

 

[rhony]

No life bans. Ban Smith and Warner for 5 games each and strip them off leadership

 

[Rana]

Would be ridiculous if it happened. CA shouldn't get carried away in trying to appear tough and zero-tolerant.

Its not as simple as that.

Cricket is a business, what are Cricket Australia supposed to do when their sponsors threaten to pull out and closing the door for further sponsorship? You think James Sutherland was about to break into tears in his press conference isnt serious and doesnt warrant severe emotion?

 

[pillionrider]

Its not as simple as that.

Cricket is a business, what are Cricket Australia supposed to do when their sponsors threaten to pull out and closing the door for further sponsorship? You think James Sutherland was about to break into tears in his press conference isnt serious and doesnt warrant severe emotion?

I was very very happy to see Smith's general dishonesty, hypocrisy and sanctimonious behavior ripped to shreds. But now it's going overboard if this life ban thing happens.

The sponsors are merely reflecting a general sentiment. They don't have a stand of their own and only do what they believe their market would like them do.

Which is why in another thread I was wondering whether Australian fans have been complicit in a way by encouraging a win at all costs culture.

Looks like Smith and lot had a different position for the famous uncrossable line compared to their fans. Bet they are shocked numb by the public dislike for them right now.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Life ban is too harsh. A suspension of 5 matches and no more leadership roles should be sufficient.

 

[Ab Fan]

Life ban is way too harsh. That would be ridiculous.

 

[James]

Objectively that would be way over the top - 6 months feels more appropriate - but that said if Warner got banned for life I don’t think many people (including his teammates) would lose sleep over it. Has a reputation within the game as an utter garden tool.

 

[Hasan123]

A life ban would be a riddicoulous decision. No one else has been banned for life for ball tampering. A few game ban and stripping both from captaincy would be enough. I wouldn't strip them of the roles but seems likely that Australia will.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

This is not remotely a life ban situation.

Enough punishment to change some of the bad bits of Australian cricket culture - a test or two - is the limit.

 

[AMSS]

As much as I have enjoyed the evisceration of the high perch from where aussies used to preach, a life ban does not sit well with me. Not even for Warner. It has to be consistent with treatment of past transgressors.

And, in fact, ICC's punishment has been exactly that. Smith's (and the rest of the conspirators) misfortune is that he's being made a scapegoat for what Brett Geeves has called a lie and a fiction.

 

[IndianFan2018]

So when Virat says shaam tak khelenge to inki ....etc and hurls abuses that is Sending a positive image of Indian cricket.Just because he is not fined or anything does not mean he is a saint.
Warner did the right thing as it involved his family.When Amir can play after spot fixing warner can also.And where is it officially that he cheated?
Sharjeel was called as innocent on this forum after being proven as spot fixer.Warner has been on best behaviour since 2015.Thats why he was called as Reverend.
Virat was even called out by Dravid about his antics.I mean all this goes on in cricket.If u want life ban him for bad behavior and sending a negative perception then ban kohli etc also

We know you don't like Kohli ... topic is about two AUS players who cheated! Why bringing your personal grudge on Kohli here ... may be that will help you sleep well in the night

 

[Gubol123]

Life ban is ridiculous.. there are serials offenders playing the game..

 

[balla]

Preparing the ball for reverse swing is not learnt overnight or found in any sports training manuals. Its an art perfected by the team over years, passed along by senior players and is part of the National team culture.
Clearly this has been going on in the Australian team for years. From the videos its clear that coach Darren Lehmann, also an ex player was involved too. Nowadays, due to more cameras ball tampering is being easily caught and Steve Smith is the unlucky one to be the first Aussie to get caught. Will be hypocritical by the Aussies to ban only him in this case just to satisfy National pride.

 

[90MPH]

Most ridiculous suggestion yet.

Why on earth should they be banned for life ?

1 Test match ban is enough.

Australia cricket board though needs to make some leadership changes and reflect on their behaviour overall that led to this.

Darren Lehman has a lot to answer for and I will be surprised if he survives this.

 

[navin]

that would be too harsh

 

[shane]

If this was the only controversy they were involved in, then maybe. But they have become such a bad influence on the team that it would be best in the long run for Australian cricket if they were banned.

 

[kingusama92]

Like I said in another thread, a life ban would be the dumbest thing I have ever seen in cricket.

Don't forget, this is an offense many believe should be legal!

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Like I said in another thread, a life ban would be the dumbest thing I have ever seen in cricket.

Don't forget, this is an offense many believe should be legal!

You are continuing to underestimate the feeling in Australia. People need to learn to read.

 

[Savak]

If the ACB does that, these players can take them to court and state that the punishment is disproportionate to the crime. But these guys cannot be in leadership positions anymore.

 

[Josh]

Life ban is too harsh. The maximum possible ban should be a ban of 5 test matches. That's it!

 

[backfootpunch]

Life ban is ridiculous.. there are serials offenders playing the game..

Couldn't agree more

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Indian_Premier_League_spot-fixing_and_betting_case

 

[backfootpunch]

I would like to see Lehman banned from holding any coaching or backroom staff roles. I think he is the mastermind behind all this.

 

[kingusama92]

You are continuing to underestimate the feeling in Australia. People need to learn to read.

Mob mentality.

A life ban is unreasonable and people with common sense would understand that.

 

[hadi123]

I'd have sympathy, that would be like a footballer getting a life ban for diving.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Mob mentality.

A life ban is unreasonable and people with common sense would understand that.

Need to understand the mood in OZ.....

 

[Pakistanian]

Yes, humans make mistakes/lapse in judgments.

 

[SameerK]

I would as a life ban is just too far. We've had many players ball tamper before such Atherton and even Afridi. Warner and Smith have definitely made a big mistake and they must learn from this through means of suspension or something less than a life ban. It'd be great waste of Aussie talent if these two are forced to end their cricketing careers. I understand the shame being brought on in Oz but the players must see this and learn from their mistakes. Our players have committed far worse actions but as you see Amir is back on the pitch after learning and repenting his mistakes.

 

[pakistani pride]

LOL life ban?

1 test is enough..

 

[kingusama92]

Need to understand the mood in OZ.....

I understand what you're saying but the mood doesn't and shouldn't dictate anything.

When Pakistani/Indian cricketers lose a world cup match, we have seen their houses get stoned. Is that okay because of the general mood?

Punishments should always fit the crime.

Next, we'll be seeing 6-month bans for dropped catches.

 

[KingKhanWC]

No, just dont select them for Australia. They can both still make a lot of money playing T20 leagues, perhaps Warner could get a job with Afridi at Karachi Kings.

 

[Saj]

Why should they be banned for life?

Faf du Plessis wasn't banned for life was he? Other players were caught and not banned for life were they.

 

[zn426]

I don't think they should be banned for life, nor should they be, but given that the media and fans are essentially out for blood they are likely to get some kind of significant punishment-maybe even 1-2 years. That will do to send a message and force them to reconsider what they're doing.

 

[bond]

They should be punished to the extent that others have been in the past.

All the teams are involved in ball tampering. It has become a tacit norm. Just that these guys got caught red handed.

I personally think reverse swing makes the game exciting. ICC should somehow look into including a tampered ball part of the play. So like changing to a new ball after 80 overs in test cricket, they should consider changing to a lab tampered ball after 35 overs. That will allow for a fair, level playing game with tampered ball (and hence the reverse swing) as a formal part while eliminating the place for ball tampering.

 

[Rana]

Why should they be banned for life?

Faf du Plessis wasn't banned for life was he? Other players were caught and not banned for life were they.

I guess South Africa have extremely, extremely high standards of corruption to determine life bans

 

[Bilal7]

I would be shocked. Just ban them from the next test, never let them become captain again and that will be enough punishment.

 

[DeadBall]

Its just the media (to sell papers) and management have made this thing into a bigger deal than it is to soothe their egos and have over done it too much to go back now.

 

[HuzaifaE]

Yes because there is absolutely no precedence for something like that and it would be ridiculously unfair

 

[Watsupdoc]

Yes definitely - don't deserved to be banned for life for this.

 

[Mamba Red]

Lol some of the posts on here are just foolish and stupid.

They won't be getting a life ban when others have gotten away with it.

Like I said 12 months and 6 months for Bancroft.

 

[JattMaula]

Life ban is beyond ridiculous.

We know and understand that every culture is different. Aussies have sense of exceptionalism second only to Americans but to ban players for life for the crime that is almost common practice?

I will have every sympathy for them.

 

[Sadevdesai]

I would have sympathy for them ..... ONLY ..... if Cricket Australia heavily punishes them !!!!!! These two are actually good for Cricket,
not just the Australian Cricket, but over all. They play hard and backup their mojo ....but that should be allowed to go only so far !!!!! Does not take any special training to be "showing off" and "stretching" the Rules. One Match ban for Smith is a joke !!!!! He planned to cheat ..... that is totally inexcusable !!!!!! Deep inside, they are laughing their rear ends off for what they got away with !!!!!!

 

[Convict]

Lol some of the posts on here are just foolish and stupid.

They won't be getting a life ban when others have gotten away with it.

Like I said 12 months and 6 months for Bancroft.

Be more than 12 months imo.

Or at least we won't see them make their comebacks during the Ashes.

 

[Chrish]

Be more than 12 months imo.

Or at least we won't see them make their comebacks during the Ashes.

What is realistic outcome that you are predicting? Is there a serious possibility that Smith/ Warner can face more than 6 months?

 

[Convict]

What is realistic outcome that you are predicting? Is there a serious possibility that Smith/ Warner can face more than 6 months?

Formally banned for 12 months with no chance of playing in the 2019 World Cup or Ashes even though their suspension will have been completed by then.

Warner's suspension may informally be longer.

Bancroft maybe less but possibly 12 months as well.

No chance of any of the three playing against India.

 

[shokz1408]

I would feel sorry for Steve Smith. That punishment wouldn't fit the crime. It's like creating a new law, punishing more heavily than ever stated. It's akin to going to court and where people have always been jailed for a day up to a few weeks for a similar crime, you on other hand have been given a life sentence for being honest about everyone involved.

 

[Chrish]

Formally banned for 12 months with no chance of playing in the 2019 World Cup or Ashes even though their suspension will have been completed by then.

Warner's suspension may informally be longer.

Bancroft maybe less but possibly 12 months as well.

No chance of any of the three playing against India.

This is just too harsh.. At the end of the day, it's only a level 2 offense (level 4 being the worst as I was reading somewhere else). It seems like they will be made example of for damaging national reputation and pissing off CA sponsors.

 

[kingusama92]

Formally banned for 12 months with no chance of playing in the 2019 World Cup or Ashes even though their suspension will have been completed by then.

Warner's suspension may informally be longer.

Bancroft maybe less but possibly 12 months as well.

No chance of any of the three playing against India.

You're probably right but this is an incredible example of self-sabotage.

England was bending over backward to bring Stokes back and here's Australia destroying their WC/Ashes hopes.

 

[Rana]

You're probably right but this is an incredible example of self-sabotage.

England was bending over backward to bring Stokes back and here's Australia destroying their WC/Ashes hopes.

They've done it all mate. They could care less. Smith and Warner are replaceable. Just like Ponting was replaceable and so was Mgrath in the form of Hazlewood. It's the way they will think, no one is bigger than the country and it's pride

 

[Big Mac]

I wouldn't have a problem 12 months for everybody in the leadership group, maybe a little bit extra for Smith as he's the captain. Bancroft maybe a little bit less as he's a junior player who's kinda been thrown under the bus but I dunno.

A life ban though? That would be ridiculous.

 

[Big Mac]

It is not life for ball tampering. It is life ban for systematically planning and implementing cheating methods to gain an unfair advantage. From the Coach, to the players.

This is the key point that differentiates it from previous one match bans or fines. Before you had this veneer of plausible deniability that it was just one person going rogue and acting on their accord. Now, that's not REALLY believable but you could at least try to argue for reasonable doubt, this situation is very different. It's the difference between a player secretly taking performance enhancing drugs on their own and a team having an entire doping program set up from top to bottom.

 

[giri26]

A life ban would be a overreaction. It is not like no one has done this in the past. This has been overblown. A ban for sometime will be good enough, no need to overreact. I assume the captain of the opposing team was guilty of doing similar thing in the past? Was he banned for life? Marcus Trescothik claimed that entire English team used mints on the cricket ball to make it swing in 2005, were they all banned for life? They have done something bad, they need to be punished but not with a life ban, it is not going to happen.

 

[GrandMaster]

Cheating is cheating. If 5 years for spot-fixing, why not life ban for cheating? Spot-fixing does not have a direct impact on the result of the match, whereas changing the condition of the ball most probably will have a big impact on the result.

No player is bigger than the game, ICC needs to set up an example.

 

[giri26]

Cheating is cheating. If 5 years for spot-fixing, why not life ban for cheating? Spot-fixing does not have a direct impact on the result of the match, whereas changing the condition of the ball most probably will have a big impact on the result.

No player is bigger than the game, ICC needs to set up an example.

ICC have already made their decision which is to ban Smith for 1 test and handing 3 Demerit points for Bancroft. They aren't contemplating life ban. The rumours are from Cricket Australia. So ICC isn't going to do anything more than what they have done.

 

[jagatk]

ICC have already made their decision which is to ban Smith for 1 test and handing 3 Demerit points for Bancroft. They aren't contemplating life ban. The rumours are from Cricket Australia. So ICC isn't going to do anything more than what they have done.

Isn't that the biggest issue, if ICC punished them with a 6 month or 1 year ban we will see the end of ball tampering much like what happened to illegal actions. Once you know there are serious consequences these problems are mostly self corrected. ICC missed a great chance to clean house with this incident.

 

[giri26]

Isn't that the biggest issue, if ICC punished them with a 6 month or 1 year ban we will see the end of ball tampering much like what happened to illegal actions. Once you know there are serious consequences these problems are mostly self corrected. ICC missed a great chance to clean house with this incident.

Sorry ICC have never done such a thing in the past, as recent as Faf's zipper incident in 2013. Why would they suddenly ban two high profile players for an offence which was let go with just a slap on the wrist. The ICC needs to regulate their rules before suddenly deciding to ban players. Smith and Warner might end up being banned by CA which is internal to Australia but ICC could not have done much here as they do not have a stronger punishment in their laws for such an act.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Australia wants to make an example out of them. It looks terrible after we saw the orchestrated tampering. So it makes me wonder how they would have done in the first test without tampering. It is not merely a tainted win. Cheated win. To all intents and purposes SA might be leading 3-0 by now. IT is very unsportsmanlike behavior that needs to be reprimanded. It is upto ACB to punish however they see it fit. By the look of it, ACB looks very very ****** off . As it is we have only few countries play cricket. If you have one of the top most cricketing nation involving in dirty tricks, it will affect the reputaion of the game. Will they check old videos as welll?

 

[Chrish]

People supporting life ban can't be serious. I mean we got match-fixers still playing for god's sake..

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Forget a life-ban, not even a five-month ban is remotely justified. This is hysterical.

I still would have no sympathy because these people are despicable cheats and they are just not good people. Steve Smith has been treated like a golden boy his entire career and unjustly preferred and pushed above more deserving people. He and his leadership group have mistreated one of Australia's most talented cricketers till the guy almost quit Australia to play franchise cricket; till he was forced to select him late this summer.

I will be very happy to see the most unjustified and harsh penalties but I'm not being dishonest. What's happening here to these guys is extremely unfair and laws should apply equally and proportionally to all rather than made up punishments to satisfy a mob. It's only because they are such horrible people that no one is saying anything in their defence.

 

[Slog]

There is no reason to be banned for a month let alone for life

This is a minor offence