Taylor hints at ban on sledging

CRICKET Australia board member Mark Taylor ( pictured) has hinted the sport’s national governing body will consider banning sledging.

Australia’s men’s team is set to undergo an independent review into the culture of the side in the wake of the ball- tampering saga that has landed David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft lengthy bans from national duty and domestic cricket in Australia.

It comes after Australia reached 7/ 201 at lunch overnight, chasing South Africa’s 488- run target.

The ball- tampering ploy was hardly the first flashpoint of the series, with things turning ugly as soon as the first Test when Warner had to be held back from Quinton de Kock on the way to the team dressing rooms at tea.

The opener was responding to comments from the keeper about his wife, which in turn came after the South African was peppered with sledges throughout his innings.

Taylor was asked on Channel 9’ s Sports Sunday if CA would consider telling its players to cut out sledging forever.

“That’s a possibility,” the former Australian captain responded. “You’re not going to stop people talking on the field. But talking is one thing, abusing, sledging, bullying, verbalising, whatever you want to call it, is another thing and it has gone too far and we said that three weeks ago.”

Asked if he would put a mo- tion forward to make a ban on sledging in the Australian team official, Taylor said: “That may or may not happen at a board meeting in three weeks’ time which is not to be aired on national television.”

Taylor also called for the International Cricket Council to impose tougher sanctions for poor on- field behaviour. He does not believe fining players match fees has proved an effective deterrent.

“Give players more match bans. If we really want to invoke the spirit of cricket, take players out of the game. One thing that soccer does well is if you do get a red card you’re out for the next few games. We don’t do that well in cricket – we have to start.”

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson promised a sweeping review of how it handles player behaviour after Smith was handed a one- Test ban and Bancroft a stern warning for the ball- tampering scandal.