Ball-tampering saga penalties ‘extreme’

THE punishments slapped on Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal were extreme, according to former Australia captain Shane Watson.

Smith and Warner are serving year-long bans for their part in the Cape Town scandal in March, while Bancroft got a nine-month suspension.

Smith has also been banned from taking on any leadership role for an additional 12 months and Warner will not be allowed to serve in a leadership position again.

“It is an extreme penalty for what they did compared to the bans that have happened and the reprimands that have happened in the past,” Watson said in Dubai.

“They’ve paid a heavy price, there is no question, and when they come back they will be doing everything they can to try and repay people for the mistakes they made.”

Former Australia international and spin-bowling great Shane Warne has said the punishments were overly harsh.

The scandal outraged fans and drew criticism from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Watson said there was no question that the players “made a huge error of judgment” and backed new Australia coach Justin Langer as the “right man” to rebuild the team.

The Australian team will play England next month for a tour which includes five oneday internationals and a Twenty20 match.

Watson, who retired from international cricket in 2016, has ruled out a return.

Cricket Australia this month appointed him to a panel tasked with drafting a charter of behaviour in the wake of the scandal in South Africa.